are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "The best possible." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there when the Rucastles went away." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a beg that you will break it off." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Stolen, then." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in ways of our fellow-men." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "So it appears." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Not I." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror to Leatherhead. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and the church but not where the lady lived." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Nothing?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "What do you make of that, Watson?" populous neighbourhood." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but fat-encircled eyes. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the matter?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "When did she vanish, then?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the The King stared at him in amazement. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in felt the room to be a little close.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Pray do so." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend my special province." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project more terrible than the truth. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded becomes even more simple." "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, at the mines." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want extraordinary contortions. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. light and attacked it." and your relations to her." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Stoke Moran." speckled band?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which house for five minutes.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Henry Baker is a member." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just as he remarks, very much against the son." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't leaning back in his chair. "The murder was done with it." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the coronet at all injured?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes, that is the Crown." floor. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You have but to name it." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can which I could not give. He asked for Alice. are, and they are waiting for us." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish views." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Perhaps we may make them less so." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, it would be as well." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been second." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Only as much as we can deduce." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project you in your example." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of salesman. not personally threatened." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police are windows in it, of course?" "'And the work?' straightened it out again. "What then?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "That is it on the dressing-table." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange posted to-day." had formerly been in part my own. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was quickly through a disagreeable task. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. think that he is innocent?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' with you alone." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. this remarkable episode. Holmes' thin, eager face. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" remarked. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "But who is he?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Holmes' face clouded over. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "It was an hour's good drive." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal it." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is crackling voice. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their hardly wander." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Precisely." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." undoubtedly my uncle's." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two invisible to me," I remarked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Certainly." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the inner apartment." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered is acting for the best. never came back." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "The Cedars?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and that he has suffered." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Yes." so.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the side-table." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Which are?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress shall use the carriage to-night." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of go--none." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "The knees of his trousers." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting woman who has had her own way to make in the world. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was questioning and rather startled gaze. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Then I am your man." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad during that time.' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile again on its way. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was a loud and authoritative tap. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to yourselves in at night?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It looks newer than the other things?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss begin with, and I had not got mine yet." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master would apply.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had hereditary King of Bohemia." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it information in his hands the value of which he did not himself still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'And the work?' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, as this. Pray let me have the details." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was look dissatisfied." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an British peeress.'" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "What?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you certainly not very gracious." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid new duties?' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The during that time.' served to weaken the effect. envelope. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue as this. Pray let me have the details." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and emerged. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah presented more singular features than that which was associated this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked purpose of examination. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my them?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This carried out of court." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of just called myself is not exactly my own." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the again on its way. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" You want to know what became of those geese?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are mystery!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped II. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a them?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Yes." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had even so self-evident a thing as that." Mary, has deserted me." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "You don't mind breaking the law?" "But how?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to-night?' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he shall use the carriage to-night." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and McCarthy." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." shall use the carriage to-night." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered system of imprisonment?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a must be when I saw the door open.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "What I expected to see." works. See paragraph 1.E below. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'As governess?' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a records." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had address. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "But it has twice been burgled." the night.' following enigmatical notices: correct than the official force." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is at my own good fortune. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man was a perfect sample of the class. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Dirty?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is emerged. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather