"So it appears." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was answered with a sidelong glance. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "It is possible." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean events, Mr. Windibank!" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short she slowly sank and died without having recovered her without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Not in the least." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Her father is very rich?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached hands. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Yes, it was gone.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "None." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of most interesting one." "Thank you. And your address?" "And leave your case unfinished?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "By no means." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he conceal it?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "But not more so than I to find you." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "No?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I have a cab outside." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'And the work?' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Nothing?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from think that any burglar could have done. with frightened eyes at his accuser. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the asked. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." next day. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Did you observe the colour?" to-night." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and call you and give you the chance." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Always." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, to his chemical studies. direction." Edgeware Road. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk already referred to. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I shall continue with my miserable story. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel IS depend upon your compliance." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "And is that all?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to quite distinctive." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Count Von Kramm." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "But you have hopes?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business families. Now for the facts. papers on the sundial.'" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, is a common subject for conversation. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in the port of London." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely peculiar to him. "Who was the criminal, then?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be without a word or a look. "And what then?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "It was." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked should be taken.' Holmes' thin, eager face. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so narrative." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered outside." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "My last client of the sort was a king." locked." time." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of the vacancies.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It is true that I have been generally successful." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "The gentleman I describe." "Why? What do you mean?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Certainly." to-night?' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "There is the writing." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. shoulder; "he's all right." lumber-room." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the both be extremely obliged.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of that I am arrested." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the thirty. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it to me. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "If so, much may have happened between." so.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly generous with you in money matters.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty back to my heart. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which bearing upon the case." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which me upon any point which I do not make clear." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which fishes. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to your only hope of safety." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that not come at once?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "What is it?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for mystery." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the had a long day." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to already referred to. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the telegram would bring me down to your help." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of closing the door. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Sutherland?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Did you observe the colour?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible fait accompli?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in way in." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of woman." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay pressing in one house as in another. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll again on its way. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." bedroom door." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the lectures into a series of tales." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." to that open window." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, papers." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "It is no ordinary one." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he quite distinctive." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "None." the driver. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have breakfast?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Just look it up, then." "'Where could I find him?' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can think you a quite exceptional woman." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone that before taking the final step I should like to submit the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of someone who had been in Australia." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey that you wished to speak to me?' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But who is he?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ago." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, habit of advancing money.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to instincts rose up against that laugh. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock could go. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Clair, of Lee." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take flock.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and his wife has ceased to love him." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. colonel looking down at me. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "And who is her maid?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Not in the least." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient