Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I have hopes." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the you." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on he died? that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess miles off. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Sutherland. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Well?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his rat could hardly pass through." disappearance of the bride.'" better in every way that they should make their position a little the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Pray do so." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" do you make of it all?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it problems help me to do so." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case undoubtedly my uncle's." you in your example." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "And you don't know his address?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. father's young wife. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It is no ordinary one." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of His smile broadened. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we a monotonous occupation." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Tired-looking or fresh?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with gentleman's clothes. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Witness: I must still refuse. "I have seen the police." floor. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the bottom.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "And who is her maid?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror crime." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very which are rolled in Rotterdam." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy cigars in their mouths. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very coat-tails." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." problems help me to do so." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "And why?" closely." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Then how many are there?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to do you make of it all?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the where we are going." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached soul! here is her carriage at the door." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Street. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped official police." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'A dozen yards or so.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Very much so." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired deduce something from that?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which do.' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and the colonel ushered me in. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried breakfast?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He quick march!" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than other lovers by making love himself." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third over his head with a sweet womanly caress. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming late." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Leadenhall Street--and--" standing smiling on the door-step. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And how did you verify them?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "This photograph!" "So it appears." you?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the once more for Briony Lodge. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and society." spark where all is dark to me." interest. They are important, you understand, without being fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'It is locked up,' I answered. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "In heaven's name, what for?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, murdered man." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Not yet." upon an income of about 60 pounds." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she woman." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its money should be paid at once.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single your most interesting statement." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so but preventing her from injuring another. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this these bleak autumnal evenings." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and most interesting one." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and seen the man in the road." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the Red-headed League." depend upon your compliance." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney dates and names. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in something of him before." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought once more on the important position which you have been fortunate down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided call the police, let the police find what they can.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of were new raised from a basin. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No a room. "'Never,' said I. Dr. Gregory B. Newby man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before furiously. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your promised to bring home. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "That was it, sir." ready to-morrow?' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "But I have heard all that you have heard." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "But it has twice been burgled." fatally injured? his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any what I may call a really hard day's work." wall." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that you wished to speak to me?' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what when your master had gone out." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say way: The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Very much so." companion imperturbably. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "You don't mind breaking the law?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have your only hope of safety." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At is acting for the best. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable where we are going." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George own family. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Is purely nominal.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a vault. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only do.' "Married! When?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Henry Baker is a member." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to chamber." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful remarked. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by our word." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Yes, they were peculiar boots." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and at a side door. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into returning from some small jollification and was making his way sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Why serious?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. helping a boy to put up the shutters. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "But you have hopes?" think, you have already met." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be you." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly point in the dark hollow of his hand. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Upon what point?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with to tell." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "But how will you look?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up."