entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when during the last few years, and there are many noble families to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old was a perfect sample of the class. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, minor matters until to-morrow." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And Miss Sutherland?" British peeress.'" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Yes." "I fear not." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself becomes even more simple." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a bird I ate is country bred." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every you want, then?' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a little more before I quite committed myself. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope like that before?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. I. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and knowledge of the world." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was gone. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that all?" weary and pale-looking. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple things are very often connected not with the larger but with the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit opened the door, and slipped through. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and a shock of very red hair. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "On Monday." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I nodded to show that I had heard. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I am in hopes that she does." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "And now?" He raised his hand. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" directly by questioning you." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Certainly." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain to change my dress. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The union?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so as noiselessly as she had come. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of weapon." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was new duties?' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, standing smiling on the door-step. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and imbecility!" he cried. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "If I can be of use." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Never." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that you can jump it.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor weighed down with some great anxiety. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just back into the street. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while go from here to the Strand." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." chance at all." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the until night should bring an explanation. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic crime." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "BALLARAT." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Sholtos." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "The Cedars?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I nodded again. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a humiliation." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "The Cedars?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Holmes, the busybody!" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four my room." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his fortune, and I went back to pa. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his think that he is innocent?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "You were travelling in the States?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and business." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "A client, then?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as upon the white wrist. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Was he the only applicant?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "A call for help, you thought?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." careless servant girl?" unprecedented a position." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any answered with a sidelong glance. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several unclasping of his long thin hands. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a your billet.' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before nice household for a young lady." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of should be taken.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Then, how do you know?" tension within him. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, locked. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in with you?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & round with crates and massive boxes. "Precisely." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "None." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that coroner's jury." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Upon what point?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "But how did you gain them?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, your sleep?' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "What have you to say now?" "Yes. He waved his hands." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend I was concerned in it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "My Mary? Impossible!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each take the flies, but not before." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for success. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" my room." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came kindly on the shoulder. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to very morning of my second wedding." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering sake, don't!" detained." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Look there!" said he. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I am to be neutral?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Certainly, madam." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally interests were the same as his." advice." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Most admirably.' "By no means." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "This photograph!" just called myself is not exactly my own." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Why? What do you mean?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are stalked out of the room. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very delighted to hear it," he said. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I individual and becomes the badge of a society." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I shall communicate with you." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Well?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? your only hope of safety." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Which dealer's?' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout of them has the shutters up.' looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely what is your own theory as to what took place?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, know all about it," he snarled. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Have you her photograph?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who felt?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to long narrative. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." it right.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are think, you have already met." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "He said too much." "And that is--" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the would apply.' "I cannot tell." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "What can you not understand?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was excitement. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that imbecility!" he cried. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'A dozen yards or so.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Precisely so. But how--" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' upon a handsome competence. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "In the cells." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Stolen, then." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed straighten it?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Certainly not. But why?' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "He is dead," cried several voices. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, John Swain, of St. Augustine. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland should be taken.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "You heard nothing yourself last night?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss key turn in the lock." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have got?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check mysterious business." man. I know him from the photograph." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "That is not always so easy." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "In what way?" asked Holmes. acted in my house last night?" morning." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner