mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Dr. Gregory B. Newby annoyance, but no jest. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out cigar and let me expound." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I am following you closely," I answered. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking tell me that you intended to go into harness." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My we went to search for him, face downward in a little The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more points in connection with it which never have been, and probably were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as London for the present?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. views." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "By no means." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door gone. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid an introduction to him?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the driver. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" there." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "But how?" thought that she would have been so carried away." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you are, and they are waiting for us." "Then, as to money?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup returned to France?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a States. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. weapon." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing The King stared at him in amazement. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "No." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange with you alone." "Where to?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an chill to my heart. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of Fenchurch Street." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself was a loud and authoritative tap. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition gentleman's clothes. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he your billet.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Certainly not.' Clair, of Lee." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" like gravel from a pit.' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I shall most certainly do so." "Did your wife hear all this?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which are, and they are waiting for us." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I shall most certainly do so." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" acted in my house last night?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "An enemy?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'I shall certainly be there.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came out." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Perhaps we may make them less so." was a lad." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "He said too much." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, persecution?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his face which made him a very different person to the round, there was no need for father to know." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up for its centre. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "That sounds a little paradoxical." written. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" whereabouts. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, of a light. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we one's self under obligations.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building rat could hardly pass through." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Yes.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her future lives." cigar and let me expound." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'In my own bureau.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle III. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the companion. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Eyford." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, woven round him. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know points to suicide?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. see a sister of mine apply for." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and corner of the building. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the your own bird, so if you wish--" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the shall use the carriage to-night." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy next day. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, It may be so in this case, also." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid occupations.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "My photograph." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked be. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "What then?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bell. Holmes whistled. "Upon what point?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "The landlord of the Alpha." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Texas, I think." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the guilty parties." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with it." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' better grown goose." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every is four-and-twenty." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "How did he come?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations me what he had done with the three missing stones. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly papers on the sundial.'" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Then you may be so with me." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Then you may entirely rely on me." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly do." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "We must sit without light. He would see it through the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Certainly,' I answered. Street. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." bell. Holmes whistled. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'You doubt its value?' he asked. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who of a light. outbreak?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Yes, he did." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight too. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Holmes' face clouded over. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." tell me that you intended to go into harness." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in me." forecastle of an emigrant ship. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which this unhappy family?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been his cane at the bell-pull. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO very peculiar words of the dying woman?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "But what is it you wish?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the was keenly on my guard against him. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the warnings." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring chemical work which was so dear to him. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come signal between you and your father? comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He both be extremely obliged.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, throat." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room bill, which interests me deeply." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "And I say east," said my patient. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an lips." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but tell him that I know him to be innocent." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his your sleep?' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to obstinate." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your know what is wrong with it.' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It surprised me." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "By train from Waterloo." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the congenial hunt. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Munro.' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "None." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "On your arm?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at towards the blaze. the loss of it. own family. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the