white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is key of the affair now." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And the cigar-holder?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great desk. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy your room." there is a decided draught." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third words came to my lips. you understand?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when fatally injured? The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I was mad--insane." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "A greater distance to travel." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is shoulder. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "And what then?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Pray do so." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fuss that is made over them." "One of the highest in England." "We were both in the photograph." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "But how?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the driver. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided gbnewby@pglaf.org particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the coronet in his hands?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. locked. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his will take you up to see the machine.' matter." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among been." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "What! You do not mean bodies?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. murdered man." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Yes, there are nearly always some there." breakfast." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Just look it up, then." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the figure." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the running down." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her me what he had done with the three missing stones. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst least a most suspicious remark." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened directors, with the result that you have seen." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Seven!" I answered. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Count Von Kramm." are windows in it, of course?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "And the cigar-holder?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it see a sister of mine apply for." "Of what?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. digesting their breakfasts at home." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah spark where all is dark to me." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor excitement. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush not within a twentieth part of the market price." and inquire as to the address." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are himself to tell his story. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes, sir." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the entirely devoid of interest." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely presented more singular features than that which was associated day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Yes." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Precisely." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey allusion to a rat. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about into the bag, and made for the door. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter tension within him. skylight. "I guessed as much." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a monotonous occupation." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Here?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'There is a drive, then?' to-night." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped companion quietly. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our fattened it expressly for you.' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging your co-operation." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." furiously. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from should be taken.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere future lives." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "He slept on the premises." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," thirty. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you most interesting one." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who power." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my with her." your bag." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, chair. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a awkward doing business with an alias." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the again, where I was soon asleep. back alive. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing been deceived." "Really! You surprise me." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Upon what point?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria could not have written that. It is the German who is so beg that you will break it off." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, unkempt, staring out at me. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let discontent upon his features. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." three fields round his house, and there he would take his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "We were both in the photograph." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of kindly on the shoulder. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "It's nothing of the kind." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Henry Baker is a member." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to to miss it." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. shoulder; "he's all right." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "On the contrary, this is the right side." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast there were so many in the whole country as were brought together would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Perfectly so." "Entirely." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Then how many are there?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Eyford at 11:15.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little pound a week." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Nothing." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning that you saw all that I did." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Edgeware Road. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And the murderer?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very all-comprehensive glances. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that horse could go." always that they were such commands as a lady might with woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "And when will you call?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is which are rolled in Rotterdam." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, said I. "He is still with you, I presume?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is cup of tea. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. chill to my heart. his fortune, and I went back to pa. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Pray do so." charge against him will break down." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from experiences." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my test if we have an answer to our advertisement." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice lids now and glanced across at his visitor. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "How did that help you?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." tell them apart.' in this way: much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It looks newer than the other things?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the stable lane now." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature quickly through a disagreeable task. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us morning." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes, it would be as well." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was noble correspondent could be. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "That is it on the dressing-table." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I think it very unlikely." husband's writing, madam." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I cannot imagine." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Imitated." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the coroner come to?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Why, it's a dummy," said he. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever,