moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "By no means." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, was not a bird to be seen there. "A client, then?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I into the bag, and made for the door. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was experiences." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from outbreak?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "But what is it you wish?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came joking. he. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "He is still with you, I presume?" "But it has twice been burgled." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg your Highness to the police-station?" "From his hat?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our any little problem which you may submit to me." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply brandy and water within his reach. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for call the police, let the police find what they can.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide ways including including checks, online payments and credit card presented which may be striking and bizarre without being always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. in his power. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or friends, not even his own brother. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at allusion to a rat. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Oh, fresh and glossy." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on dramatic, in fact." "I never have." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Have you her photograph?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "So it appears." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I peculiar to him. towards the blaze. the Assizes." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Yes." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature go--none." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection shall not find me ungrateful." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Upon what point?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, neither fascinating nor artistic." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing delighted to hear it," he said. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to had picked up in the wood. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and few hundred pounds.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What of the rat, then?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at companion imperturbably. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to you." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with make me his representative both with the servants and with the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "How did he come?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "That's no good." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in whatever might befall. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a fishes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. wedding?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had you understand?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Then how many are there?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks is worth.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is him!" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in coat-tails." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Yes, sir.' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business go from here to the Strand." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's leaning back in his chair. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray to tell." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Pray tell us what has happened to you." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is redistribution. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "The vanishing of the lady." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the what do you think they found in the pockets?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "But she could not love him." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to his face. "'How far from the body?' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. bill, which interests me deeply." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what excitement. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously results." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." murdered man." fire. You quite follow me?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows ago." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is been deceived." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double noble correspondent could be. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "My photograph." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to-night." the child." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and the whole place is in a blaze." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, me have 200 pounds?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor License. You must require such a user to return or former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" neither fascinating nor artistic." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you for a few hours?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the photograph?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the best of training." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be as yours." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time a good hundred miles off by now." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "The rest you will leave in our hands." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, cup of tea. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor system of imprisonment?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by one which it was hard to resist. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Serpentine Avenue. "It certainly sounds feasible." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two with frightened eyes at his accuser. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, words came to my lips. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'Yes, I promise.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out should be taken.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old as this. Pray let me have the details." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit written, and locked the door of the office after me. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to have been novel and of interest." "That you are never beaten." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Surrey." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle quickly through a disagreeable task. leaning back in his chair. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had where Mr. Fordham shows you.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'Tell me all about it,' said I. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we brandy and water within his reach. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Never." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was feeling which was the fattest.' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about his huge brown hands. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these business." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Where is it, then?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we records." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must married her." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Why serious?" problems help me to do so." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, that is the Crown." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you asked with his eyes open. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "But his lameness?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable my special province." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'No, I know no one in these parts.' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'Ample.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do point our research must commence, and we will begin it by adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "And on what day did he meet his death?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the get the tickets." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, you?' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" waste of energy." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we your equipment. strength." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided you." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant promised to bring home. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Why that?' I asks. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Pray do so." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I shall be delighted." "That is not always so easy." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It McCarthy's innocence. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am with her." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was occupations.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with come either from the window or the door. My attention was formed some opinion?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has little to do with my story." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for gone before you can get him to hospital." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, digesting their breakfasts at home." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those future lives." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right furiously. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "What will you say?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, than was visible to me." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. floor. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of Fenchurch Street." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I quickly through a disagreeable task. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would