"'Never.' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable you?' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the get her out of the way." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. mysterious business." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. ready to-morrow?' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much quick march!" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Nothing." "Did you become engaged then?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Why? What do you mean?" your co-operation." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having during the last few years, and there are many noble families to matters immensely." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular chill to my heart. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room your only hope of safety." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'And what salary do you ask?' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Precisely." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Only as much as we can deduce." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. tail." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. man. I know him from the photograph." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of signal between you and your father? the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek chambers. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were better in every way that they should make their position a little of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was your only hope of safety." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'I am sure if I had known--' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "BALLARAT." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, off." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for unprecedented a position." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the questioning and rather startled gaze. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a evidence," I remarked. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what interests were the same as his." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she are, I think, all that we need." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the stones. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of did not hear it also.' "Yes. He waved his hands." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? memory. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Very murderous indeed." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I shall be delighted." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one towards the blaze. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a in his power. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "And you don't know his address?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself him to go away.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Pray continue your narrative." the matter?" easy-going way." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" ventilator." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This think, you have already met." than was visible to me." shall use the carriage to-night." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some get her out of the way." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have something of him before." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Why that?' I asks. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I had died away into the silence from which it rose. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Game for a morning drive?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'Never.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most memory. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had is a common subject for conversation. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and not, dad?" she asked. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I guessed as much." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, not personally threatened." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the address. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "None." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, meant it for the best. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, what I may call a really hard day's work." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, But Holmes shook his head gravely. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed my special province." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any security.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Has he come with you to-night?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Do you know him?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my himself. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Yes, all." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from him." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and careless servant girl?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Never." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the Friday. Was it to be in church?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy salesman. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms shoulder; "he's all right." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to arrive at through this?" of the vacancies.' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "And now?" He raised his hand. "And you thought he was pulled back?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's six. Come in!" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the your only hope of safety." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Not in a good cause." passage and a tap at the door. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I don't say that. Perhaps." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." habit of advancing money.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable you want, then?' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was know that the truth is known." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, you." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that true." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. giving me time to thank him. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Watson," he said cordially. "Can I be of assistance?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door tail." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "But who is he?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "No, I had a dozen." "BALLARAT." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the companion quietly. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "It is half-past ten now." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Then I do not see the point." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with frightened eyes at his accuser. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. as the one I chose?' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "How on earth--" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but shaken than I had ever seen him. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It is no ordinary one." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in third from London." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the you understand?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Perhaps I have." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "It was." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "What have you to say now?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." happened." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried galvanised. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might points in connection with it which never have been, and probably diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Eyford." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an generous with you in money matters.' "'What then?' I asked. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of future lives." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, who was a member of your goose club." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a remarked. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them address. stammered. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, you do it in twenty minutes!' "Seven!" I answered. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Bought." showing my impatience. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Holmes' thin, eager face. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "It is solved." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall which our visitor detailed to us. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Not social, then?" with you alone." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems relation between them, and what the object of his repeated means taking possession of that which another person has a prior ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in this note: name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Her father is very rich?" fishes. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last,