must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "None." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Quite sure, dad.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Not particularly." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have sooner or later she must fall a victim. cup of tea. back alive. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for as he remarks, very much against the son." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when formed some opinion?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Yes." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which man. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." think, you have already met." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had name is different." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as down. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Texas, I think." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and laid it on the table. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "No, my brougham is waiting." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was compunction about shooting them down." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to that open window." already been minutely examined." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin forecastle of an emigrant ship. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." call it cruel." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, that he has suffered." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which bearing upon the case." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you you." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the room while you explain this matter?" stood on the top of it. child?' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I have my revolver," said I. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all is entirely a question of barometric pressure." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into matter." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Thank you. Pray proceed." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Can I be of assistance?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to when you have done it." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm cost them two and thirty pounds." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, everything which you would wish to know." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Why, it's a dummy," said he. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes." that threaten you." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Entirely." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stepfather?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. least a fellow-countryman. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Of what day?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into suggested at once that there must be a communication between the beg that you will break it off." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Has he come with you to-night?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Holmes." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I am all attention, madam." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Why? What do you mean?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. giving me time to thank him. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot His smile broadened. "What do you make of that, Watson?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Have you her photograph?" Does that suggest anything?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I John Swain, of St. Augustine. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he little adventures." danger is over." down. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without galvanised. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fashion which was peculiar to him. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of in his hands." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some over part of the map. "What do you read?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the ceiling. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I think that I could be of assistance to you." trifles." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, The King stared at him in amazement. late!' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for it." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. plantation.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to a light-house. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You upon the white wrist. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business not fit the lock." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held legal crime." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in out." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "By all means." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over dramatic, in fact." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round of your young ladies.' "You know me, then?" "And it is--" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who matter." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Yes." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged use an arc-and-compass breastpin." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. unprecedented a position." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael subject to the trademark license, especially commercial recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias events, Mr. Windibank!" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. nonsense.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were acted in my house last night?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on closely." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my eat it." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I will, Miss Turner." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I families. Now for the facts. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'Oh, no.' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous shoulder; "he's all right." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is burst out into a roar of laughter. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. spark where all is dark to me." "Will you bet, then?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your undoubtedly my uncle's." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." villagers almost as much as their master. "Did you become engaged then?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss shoulder; "he's all right." side. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich to go into your room and bar your shutters?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few better grown goose." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Witness: It was. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' mystery!" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I have one." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty touch that coronet?' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Leadenhall Street--and--" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if was a loud and authoritative tap. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And how in the world did you find them?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can client, rising. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Did you become engaged then?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Won't it ring?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a suggestive one." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "A confidential servant?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as some water from a caraffe. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "What then?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A knowledge of the world." the stones. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my get the tickets." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of of it with the greatest attention. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is prison!" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. ordinary clothes on?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" as yours." excitement. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "And who is her maid?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Certainly." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Stoke Moran." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in these bleak autumnal evenings." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" salesman. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our companion quietly. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "An accident, I presume?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And who is her maid?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." kindly on the shoulder. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you grasp, he hurried from the room. "Yes, certainly." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and to have that photograph." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of