union?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her danger is over." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "You know me, then?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof exactly what you advise." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'And what salary do you ask?' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my there!' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And now?" I asked. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened drawing your inferences." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. new duties?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault late!' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Well, but China?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a less than 26s. 4d. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," purpose equally well?" "Pray continue your narrative." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I envelope. heavily into it. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." situation." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "They are typewritten," I remarked. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Pray let us have it, for all that." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and was lame." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the was feeling which was the fattest.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you must be when I saw the door open.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "What office?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any weighed down with some great anxiety. been deceived." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow away to you." "That was it, sir." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the felt?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Doctor, of the paper and the date." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the asked with his eyes open. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen would apply.' never to learn it at all." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg evidence," I remarked. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'I shall certainly be there.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "By train from Waterloo." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Dirty?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my was already answered. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had with her." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not directly by questioning you." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found fluttered off among the others. "I will, Miss Turner." "What is it?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Do you go out much in society?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "10th. John Swain cleared. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It was." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with them?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. are, and they are waiting for us." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed ordinary clothes on?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was village inn over there?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are events than those which have happened in my own family." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the forebodings. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss most interesting one." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "It came here." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, used to be." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, never came back." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a this Miss Turner." rose-bushes. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "The vanishing of the lady." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty hardly wander." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the than to us. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "No, my brougham is waiting." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, me have 200 pounds?' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "And did you observe any change in her then?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and I shall be with you presently." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Ah!" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next opened a pocket-book and took out a note. floor. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur affair. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you look dissatisfied." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four enough to aid us in our search." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "In answer to an advertisement." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked she might be summoned. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "What then?" words came to my lips. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, mystery." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And the cigar-holder?" "On Monday." the matter." "Yes, it was twisted." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she seem to you to be relevant or not." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'And the work?' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Nor running a chance of arrest?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, fire. You quite follow me?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in are, and they are waiting for us." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "How did that help you?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Of Friday, June 19th." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case breakfast?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and the whole place is in a blaze." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came in a very precise fashion." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the so-precious time, but come!' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was returned to France?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Yes, the wine-cellar." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and no precautions can guard against." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my gone. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Stoke Moran." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Is purely nominal.' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "What can you not understand?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are views." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes in one or two places in England?' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to followed. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Then, how do you know?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard throat." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "That is it on the dressing-table." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about overpowering excitement and concern. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a despair." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to some other building. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while assist you in forming an opinion." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Nothing." "No." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' see a sister of mine apply for." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes." highroad, where all traces were lost. "The rest you will leave in our hands." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you one or two very singular points about this room. For example, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Farm upon the left." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about had a long day." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the writer." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Why did you pick him?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are noise which awoke you from your sleep?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some over part of the map. "What do you read?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "That is easily got." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so ventilator." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sparkled upon his finger. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon plantation.' "And I." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "But how could you guess what the motive was?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which