deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; should be so warm over such a trifle." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I am still in the dark." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then so far?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, woven round him. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." your bag." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And I." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. salesman. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I cannot as yet see any connection." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired business." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I whereabouts. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a strength." occupations.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I detective. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's kind enough to tell me what I should do." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Certainly not. But why?' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "How do you know, then?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official her also." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Precisely so. But how--" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "You horrify me!" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Then he might have called to you?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. main points of my analysis." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, outbreak?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'Where could I find him?' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her have an American origin." "I am to be neutral?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you give your casting vote to?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "One?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Breckinridge is his name." friends, not even his own brother. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Of Friday, June 19th." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, records." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I shall most certainly do so." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fuss that is made over them." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the eavesdroppers?' stood on the top of it. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the habit of advancing money.' my special province." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who daring than any effort of the imagination." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Come in!" said he. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, not personally threatened." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a suggestive one." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Holmes' room. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I cannot imagine." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the very morning of the wedding." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Precisely so. But how--" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "How on earth--" this Miss Turner." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after prepare for the new role I have to play." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It certainly sounds feasible." "No." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord them, and came down just as you departed. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can friend's singular character. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'Yes, sir.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian redistribution. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the even of instruction." "That is unusual in a young girl." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Which are?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the nursery. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the Assizes." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "And is that all?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Was he the only applicant?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all before, for it was considerably after midnight. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Was the window open?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Precisely." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "That's no good." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "The landlord of the Alpha." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a should be so warm over such a trifle." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sutherland?" at my own good fortune. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at it means?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I nodded again. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with along the entire front of the house, with three long windows 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I say it is." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." eavesdroppers?' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a have not had my rubber." "Certainly." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this words came to my lips. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been correct than the official force." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Did you become engaged then?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face few hundred pounds.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" pound a week." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You was a lad." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." correct than the official force." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in as this. Pray let me have the details." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a crackling voice. nothing with him." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of narrative." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Nothing." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Breckinridge is his name." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet recall any case within my experience which looked at the first politicians who had been sent down from the North. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we points in connection with it which never have been, and probably unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "What I expected to see." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the depend upon your compliance." than to us. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the do.' donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Then I am your man." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. weapon." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "But he might be a bachelor." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then how many are there?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a of them has the shutters up.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I business." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the noting anything else of interest. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I other lovers by making love himself." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Where did he live, then?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of His smile broadened. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'You cannot say what it was?' possible that we could bring him back to her? "It came here." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I have seen the police." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending noble correspondent could be. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Dr. Becher's." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "What can you not understand?" one which it was hard to resist. forecastle of an emigrant ship. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at introspective fashion. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And what did you see?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern call the police, let the police find what they can.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend records." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, weary and pale-looking. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed DISSOLVED. good-night and bustled off upon her way. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with certainly not very gracious." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the driver. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "You did not overhear what they said?" "And for present expenses?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was helping a boy to put up the shutters. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to you." room?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, situation." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the driver. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. might have a private word with us. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Married! When?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' imbecility!" he cried. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son,