my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as it means?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was hardly wander." vault. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that?' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. chemical work which was so dear to him. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys so far?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had written, and locked the door of the office after me. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with galvanised. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you present strange and interesting features that it is no easy get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "The vanishing of the lady." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "It looks newer than the other things?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond dramatic, in fact." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "No." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and fatally injured? was shining brightly. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with was it brought him the coronet? outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in pictures, libraries, or plate. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges very peculiar words of the dying woman?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to we went to search for him, face downward in a little however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, him. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, indeed which he could not unravel. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in eat it." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and inquire as to the address." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black yards of it?' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there back into the street. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You have a clue?" highroad, where all traces were lost. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the tear off another piece?' any." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the do.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between money should be paid at once.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt been lifted and conveyed somewhere." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and laid it on the table. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "But she could not love him." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Certainly,' I answered. to a more successful conclusion." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Not him." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you emerged. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hands. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be I nodded to show that I had heard. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the so-precious time, but come!' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which go--none." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "A thing like a cleaver," said he. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'What then?' I asked. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "How long did she speak to this Alice?" shaken than I had ever seen him. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with even of instruction." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after him. the inner apartment." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Pray do so." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a remarked. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking roused himself from his reverie. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual few hundred pounds.' "About a month then." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Nothing." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Here?" six. Come in!" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "By no means." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between call for it in person on Monday morning.' business at Coburg Square is serious." breakfast." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress has little to do with my story." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Did you observe the colour?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Yes, it was twisted." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, from the brougham. "Only as much as we can deduce." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be breakfast and whispered something to her husband. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Well, some hundreds of times." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel before the coroner and the police-court." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. in the port of London." "An enemy?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the coronet in his hand?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second http://www.gutenberg.net I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." call it cruel." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "At what time?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in eat it." "And leave your case unfinished?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I have a cab outside." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into yet." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "The landlord of the Alpha." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and as this. Pray let me have the details." had died away into the silence from which it rose. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet a very grave face. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought vanished into the darkness. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "How can you tell that?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Did you observe the colour?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "A confidential servant?" coat-tails." "Deserted you?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's towards the blaze. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining room had already been engaged for us. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, room?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Ten to two.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. them, and came down just as you departed. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur of it with the greatest attention. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'It is locked up,' I answered. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Look there!" said he. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year go from here to the Strand." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in is acting for the best. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to photograph?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with woven round him. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His once more for Briony Lodge. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I as the one I chose?' in this way: explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Then I can wait in the next room." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of helping a boy to put up the shutters. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I came to find a friend." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Which surely he restored to their owner?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "How are you getting on?" he. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than it? Did I buy the geese off you?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his been shamefully used." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six sufficient punishment." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy or other trace. But how on earth--" formed some opinion?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his know what is wrong with it.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out extraordinary contortions. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Not particularly." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some where she found matters as described by the last witness. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of this gang." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after take the flies, but not before." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it other, as fresh and trim as possible. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the coat-tails." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "In what way?" asked Holmes. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "No sign of it?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this their singular warning or token before them when starting upon I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and