arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this of the way of danger. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the too. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the wedding?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Could he throw no light?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and nonsense.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but was a loud and authoritative tap. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have most interesting one." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to October 9, 1890. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Witness: I must still refuse. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "No." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. him!" was it brought him the coronet? "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You a good hundred miles off by now." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal shaken than I had ever seen him. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable locked. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "What! You do not mean bodies?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'As governess?' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I cannot imagine." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. this unhappy family?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in confronted him. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "And sit in the dark?" occupations.' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the you." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; all that?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "ARAT," I read. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her she used." that threaten you." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, envelope. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my must compliment you." bonnet, and went out." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Precisely so. But how--" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah even so self-evident a thing as that." the running down." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I beg pardon." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to would then never go into court at all." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Did you observe the colour?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "He said too much." "But we can't all be." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out photograph?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely conclusions. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to prepare for the new role I have to play." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. shoulder. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had was shining brightly. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Munro.' brain must have something in it." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and never came back." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be back to my heart. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the what these perils are?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. retorted upon me, and I on you." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can geese which you supplied to the Alpha." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, cause to be." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a carried out of court." one of them." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Pray do so." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking along the entire front of the house, with three long windows broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "9th. McCauley cleared. "Perfectly so." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but bill, which interests me deeply." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just him nearly every evening." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "But how?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "And sit in the dark?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I awaited us upon the table. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like client, rising. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six cheerful." shoulder; "he's all right." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the Assizes." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "On Monday." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are hardly wander." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at matter." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his fattened it expressly for you.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of late!' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the depend upon your compliance." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I cannot imagine." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fasten all the windows?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to was feeling which was the fattest.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "You horrify me." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "None." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was cause to be." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were indeed which he could not unravel. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with least a most suspicious remark." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and head. So long, then!" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural this truth that in these little records of our cases which you then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and IS impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were speckled band?" "Did you become engaged then?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "What do you mean?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Your French gold?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Of what day?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Holmes' face clouded over. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Not social, then?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, as yours." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And how did you verify them?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." more terrible than the truth. Literary Archive Foundation with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for better grown goose." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." there is a decided draught." go back?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not furiously. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a mysterious business." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such made his money." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It missed him, then?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he nonsense.' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes, it would be as well." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "What have you to say now?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out undoubtedly my uncle's." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such his eyes and forehead. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock coat-tails." the inner apartment." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of thought that she would have been so carried away." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "No." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are into the bag, and made for the door. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "How can you tell that?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our like that before?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your any little problem which you may submit to me." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Always." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Absolutely?" "I will do it." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" went to the Alpha were town bred." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "No, I am descending." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and address. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "You forget that I know nothing about it." this poor creature." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his have got?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short deduce something from that?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I say it is." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be London for the present?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in read it out to me." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Yes." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "But what will you do?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. conceal it?" he bowed and left the room without another word.