sound at heart." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other been with you?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Certainly,' I answered. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect discontent upon his features. never to learn it at all." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "How do you know, then?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying never will be, entirely cleared up. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I cannot say that I have." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to affect your life." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Holmes' face clouded over. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "And from a noble client?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his six. Come in!" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your noble correspondent could be. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, of this gang." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Never.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must your only hope of safety." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting right! Sit down and let us talk it over." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' had a long day." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I cannot say that I have." "And the murderer?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "You think that he is dead?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in are, I think, all that we need." chill to my heart. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's existence." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own writers could invent nothing more crude." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way October 9, 1890. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Certainly not.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Always." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" congenial hunt. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms o'clock is it?" it." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Sutherland. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "No legal papers or certificates?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the very morning of the wedding." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "One?" "Yes." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her His name is Francis Prosper." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "What!" he roared. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in direction." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to spark where all is dark to me." if only as a check to my own memory." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Very. But will he see it?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "How can you tell that?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Yes." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "He said that you could solve anything." "Never to return." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side had died away into the silence from which it rose. neither fascinating nor artistic." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of been with you?" "In heaven's name, what for?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "But how did you gain them?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "How are you getting on?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern morning." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the observed. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change any more." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Certainly." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the night.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. sound at heart." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was heavy and sharp instrument." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "No bad?" "No." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Yesterday." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of here and I will read it to you: "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of But Holmes shook his head gravely. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, sofa. This way, please!" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the your own bird, so if you wish--" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "What can it mean?" I gasped. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes, certainly." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his trying to your nerves." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Was she in good spirits?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "In which, sir?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Who was the criminal, then?" the loss of it. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" ran thus: To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low During two years I have had three consultations and one small and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "But who is he?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will said I. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'Yes.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls than to us. the side-table." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored questioning and rather startled gaze. upon the sideboard." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Oh, no.' a little more before I quite committed myself. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Sutherland?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. or in danger--" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "How many? I don't know." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. maid will bring up your coffee." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same forebodings. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I am in hopes that she does." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his will he say when he returns?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." lamp in his hand. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had writers could invent nothing more crude." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I was sure that I might rely on you." said he. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through point in the dark hollow of his hand. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "He might." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "And how?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Where, indeed?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Not yet." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid DISSOLVED. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the side-table." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the fishes. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or me what he had done with the three missing stones. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking enter Dr. Roylott's room." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is than to us. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. signal between you and your father? offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up yourselves in at night?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "What! Had he lost his wife?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he yourselves in at night?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes, but only for you and me." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of receipt of the work. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "My dear Holmes!" locked. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Yes, sir.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point happened." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one both be extremely obliged.' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I held the little printed slip to the light. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with good-night and bustled off upon her way. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Yes, sir.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the that, and I came down." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not know what is wrong with it.' this remarkable episode. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves appeal." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "And is that all?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a individual and becomes the badge of a society." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door your bag." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the recover the gem." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident foresight and the moral retrogression?"