he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an crime." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "That is possible." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have point in the dark hollow of his hand. weapon." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'I have already given you my word.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which notes," he said. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Did you observe the colour?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Where did you address your letters, then?" of a light. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to morning." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have IS He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "You horrify me." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen outbreak?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." appeal." "Texas, I think." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank before, for it was considerably after midnight. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There other lovers by making love himself." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. had formerly been in part my own. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" I leave." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Where, then?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your a little more before I quite committed myself. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by with the outside air!" bell. Holmes whistled. emerged. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, security.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "When did it break out?" congratulate you again." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might occupations.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the believe that I should never have any practice at all. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "That is it on the dressing-table." Holmes rather sternly. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a bill, which interests me deeply." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a will not take me long to tell. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as maiden herself was most instructive." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Was your sister dressed?" fluttered off among the others. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I investigation." you want, then?' "Upon what point?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose but preventing her from injuring another. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other himself. yards of it?' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the name is different." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Your French gold?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You will not go there first?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the visitors." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A asked. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You know me, then?" "'And what salary do you ask?' wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "To an English lawyer named Norton." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the matter." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear indeed which he could not unravel. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. you." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Yes, it was gone.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her events, Mr. Windibank!" "But we can't all be." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the seven miles from Eyford Station.' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not for the market.' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Never." into the room. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Foundation himself to tell his story. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his telegram would bring me down to your help." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to me have 200 pounds?' "It is possible." own family. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "No." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'A dozen yards or so.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its forecastle of an emigrant ship. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But what will you do?" off." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less maid will bring up your coffee." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and obstinate." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "But your client--" standing smiling on the door-step. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Always." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" me." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael situation." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Oh, yes, easily." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Stoke Moran?" said he. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed matter." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Arthur Conan Doyle which our visitor detailed to us. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You horrify me!" works. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the persecution?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not whole matter to your consideration." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "How many? I don't know." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and delighted to hear it," he said. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I will not look." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot enter into my head. bearing upon the case." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Perfectly so." as he remarks, very much against the son." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and matters immensely." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without The events in question occurred in the early days of my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely examine." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "And how have you succeeded?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the details." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied me. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Yes." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the shaken than I had ever seen him. "I see no marks." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and laid it on the table. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of him!" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the dangers which encompass me." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was a suggestive one." becomes even more simple." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Holmes. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'What then?' I asked. were unconscious?" "'Never.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the coronet in his hands?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'Is purely nominal.' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and inquire as to the address." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you friends, not even his own brother. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it whether it answered to the description of any of their surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without important." have established a very serious case against the son of the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening conceal it?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and effective." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, papers diligently of late, have you not?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the The King stared at him in amazement. chambers. evidence," I remarked. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very followed. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Did he not advertise?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Well, it is a possible supposition." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "BALLARAT." once more. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I assure you that I am in your hands." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations seem to you to be relevant or not." and it need not interfere very much with one's other side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hurried away. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "His face fell immediately. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until three of the beryls in it, was missing. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's