assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between for and were ordered to this address. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Pray let us have it, for all that." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There delirious. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "What is it, then--a fire?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of never came back." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You will not go there first?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, should be taken.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from whereabouts. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is even so self-evident a thing as that." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to touch that coronet?' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "A confidential servant?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You have carte blanche." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "And why in hopes?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as without a word or a look. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I will not look." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. wanted for ourselves." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Never." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of this gang." "By no means." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned anything to a woman, for she would have her way." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came voice, changing her seat as requested. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I once more for Briony Lodge. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Entirely." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "And I to find an enemy." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King as yours." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able events, Mr. Windibank!" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast a good hundred miles off by now." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Yes, sir.' bearing upon the case." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my former friend and companion. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Pray do so." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the ceiling. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I have hopes." villagers almost as much as their master. "Not particularly." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Tired-looking or fresh?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in disturbance in my wife." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Doctor, of the paper and the date." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Oh, the cause is excellent!" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Project Gutenberg-tm works. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and a shock of very red hair. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw eavesdroppers?' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Breckinridge is his name." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a be. ago." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right away to you." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the child." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "We must have a cab." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a one which it was hard to resist. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. outsides of the windows. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to danger is over." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in himself in a perplexing position. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Oh, no.' as the one I chose?' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and strong and stiff." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close as he folded up the epistle. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven again, where I was soon asleep. "Was there a secret marriage?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in the hope of finding them." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the about. nothing with him." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my fear." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the date of his supposed suicide." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had breakfast?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Not him." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Eyford at 11:15.' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "No, distinctly professional." "What! Had he lost his wife?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In away in different directions, and I went off to make my own voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and photograph?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But his lameness?" Literary Archive Foundation out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the back alive. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'About the same.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood which I could not give. He asked for Alice. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I am in hopes that she does." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who will not take me long to tell. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees but preventing her from injuring another. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let yards of it?' the Assizes." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no tension within him. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat even of instruction." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, indeed happy." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his six. Come in!" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, side. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and the whole place is in a blaze." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by when you have done it." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Absolutely none." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was question," said Holmes, smiling. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his points in connection with it which never have been, and probably although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, enter Dr. Roylott's room." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "A greater distance to travel." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Literary Archive Foundation "Well, some hundreds of times." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much very old mansion. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while galvanised. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going hardly wander." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "But you have hopes?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come 11:15.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If The note was undated, and without either signature or address. overpowering excitement and concern. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "By train from Waterloo." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a like that before?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong excitement. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I jewels which you have stolen?' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I shall most certainly do so." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, important." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "He is dead," cried several voices. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have handed it to him. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man neither fascinating nor artistic." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of hurried away. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I should like to see him very much." hardly wander." "And Miss Sutherland?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." been with you?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens I nodded to show that I had heard. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Whose house is it?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the a very grave face. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Cross for the Continent." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is hair?' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do instincts rose up against that laugh. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Then I am your man." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address six. Come in!" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival to have that photograph." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it with his own hands." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong chambers. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had humiliation." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and made his money." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body