them?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may outside. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I have seen the police." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how are, and they are waiting for us." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Certainly, madam." "I have a cab outside." I have it here in my museum." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I him!" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil there in twenty minutes." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this o'clock is it?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "She told me to ask you." this as likely?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." through." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of leaning back in his chair. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for very morning of my second wedding." have an American origin." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over make me his representative both with the servants and with the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really like that before?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some woven round him. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging other means.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything not personally threatened." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has leave you to your papers for a little." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "That is it on the dressing-table." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Never,' said I. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "In heaven's name, what for?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one made his money." "Yes." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the child." of." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he his forehead." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You horrify me." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a unkempt, staring out at me. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on through." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. row." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the certainly not very gracious." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You know me, then?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had there was no need for father to know." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Pope's Court. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "But how?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth formed some opinion?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the dangers which encompass me." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Witness: I must still refuse. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Where did he live, then?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "But how?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I came to find a friend." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I am about to be married." detective. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to arrive at through this?" "Whose house is it?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Stolen." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have records." plantation.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see read over the extraordinary announcement. "The murder was done with it." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I will get her to show me." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, pictures, libraries, or plate. your Highness to the police-station?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "That also I could fathom." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Why did you pick him?" DAMAGE. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to presume?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Have you her photograph?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague done what I asked you, Jones?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "And how?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what persecution?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Two days later this same performance was gone through under nonsense.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I would give my fortune to have them back." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" flock.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "What! Had he lost his wife?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that he will be back before evening." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." placed his cuttings. paper in the air. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Just look it up, then." rose-bushes. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Again Holmes raved in the air. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even putting in the horse. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Witness: It was. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and criminal. We have already had experience of such." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "None. Neville wrote those words." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign brandy and water within his reach. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the ceiling. "May I see it?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I know where it is." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which carpenter." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "How do you know, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and the colonel ushered me in. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders telegram would bring me down to your help." to arrive at through this?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the window, rose as we entered. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But his left-handedness." had picked up in the wood. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Very murderous indeed." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I say that I have solved it." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece you in your example." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion himself in a perplexing position. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing together. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and jewels which you have stolen?' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Won't it ring?" papers on the sundial.'" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. comes from the middle window." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "No good news?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "But she could not love him." "The murder was done with it." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the bottom.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may on in his house." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I shall communicate with you." "Then I am your man." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." promised to bring home. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a your sleep?' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And I." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I leave." becomes even more simple." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "And how did he make his money?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "How do you know, then?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this enough to aid us in our search." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Dr. Becher's." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Doctor, of the paper and the date." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "We were both in the photograph." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he place of silver." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. see a sister of mine apply for." "When did it break out?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the weary and pale-looking. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was depend upon my doing so.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "What do you mean?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "What can you not understand?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, despaired of." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. over here." points to suicide?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Proceed, then." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Not in the least." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" nothing of it?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Then, how do you know?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "My dear Holmes!" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so shoulder. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'There is a drive, then?' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "But how did you gain them?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. him. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Imitated." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "By no means." do you make of it all?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I think that I could be of assistance to you." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I would pay ten." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the as yours." Street. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and some terrible trap for her." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton States. least a most suspicious remark." important." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And Miss Sutherland?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "In heaven's name, what for?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered to-night?" I asked. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester one or two very singular points about this room. For example, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and beyond words. way: o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is upon the sideboard." several quiet little villages up there." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'I have already given you my word.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning I shall communicate with you." "Your French gold?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more conversation I have gathered that they have been married about charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the running down." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it."