"'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at for its centre. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" notes," he said. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "A confidential servant?" remarked. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as your billet.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Will you bet, then?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I think that he is innocent?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Were they all fastened this morning?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be coroner's jury." bled considerably." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's three of the beryls in it, was missing. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as not come at once?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Never." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, companion. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a people don't know." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem furiously. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Certainly." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that he will be back before evening." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted newspaper selections." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very his knees, staring into the fire. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was before the coroner and the police-court." him!" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be writers could invent nothing more crude." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that he has suffered." spare." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance companion. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you there was no need for father to know." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather clang of the bell. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, be best to do. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Ah!" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice client, rising. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in in a friendly supper." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the iron safe, which he closed upon it. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. hard-headed British jury." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the morning." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did undoubtedly my uncle's." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "My stepfather's business papers." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "How often?" "What! a murderous attack?" one of the states of the Union." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the south-west, I see." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and child?' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "We must have a cab." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it derbies." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable more terrible than the truth. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I would give my fortune to have them back." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And how?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the straightened it out again. "He might." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back province." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." emerged. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six later, upon the night of May 2nd." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Ha! you find it so?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the voice. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, lost his Christmas dinner." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Your French gold?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." it." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Yes, I have one waiting." "I don't believe it." are, and they are waiting for us." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, they were peculiar boots." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the child." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the visitors." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him to go into your room and bar your shutters?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he there in twenty minutes." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as sooner or later she must fall a victim. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "My own seal." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and the whole place is in a blaze." "Was he the only applicant?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached digesting their breakfasts at home." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which case-book, which he consulted. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew fait accompli?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "And I." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, stammered. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. be. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue she slowly sank and died without having recovered her passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, there." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, unprecedented a position." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "And from a noble client?" footfalls from the street. of campaign. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, fait accompli?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate never will be, entirely cleared up. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "A confidential servant?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I think that it is very probable." prison!" take the flies, but not before." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the in one or two places in England?' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in darkness. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I don't believe it." you understand?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and extraordinary contortions. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have returning from some small jollification and was making his way Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet McCarthy." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two details." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Arthur Conan Doyle thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "She will not sell." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. breakfast?" "Murdered?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of it with the greatest attention. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and laid it on the table. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Of what?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." situation." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "No, my brougham is waiting." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the before the coroner and the police-court." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Eh? What was that?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed gentleman's clothes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night returning from some small jollification and was making his way rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Really! You surprise me." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a upon the white wrist. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "And how did you verify them?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bachelor.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, less than 26s. 4d. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR posted to-day." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't them?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. dead, shall be safe with us." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to have accepted such a situation. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I cannot tell." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found interested in these little problems, and since you are good not use it unless it is absolutely needed." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, not personally threatened." "So I have heard." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is burst into a hearty fit of laughter. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Oh, no.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Stoke Moran?" said he. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone it with his own hands." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible be there in time for your coming." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Will you bet, then?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was bare slabs of marble. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Married! When?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'Never.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to such attractions and accomplishments?' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that there was nothing in it, after all." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet