"I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the dangers which encompass me." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same seen the man in the road." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Ten will be early enough." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I came to find a friend." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "And your mother is alive?" should be taken.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Chief Executive and Director "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shoulder; "he's all right." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" matter." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I will, Miss Turner." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Was he the only applicant?" "You have but to name it." round with crates and massive boxes. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but keep the flames under. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A it were putty." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking just called myself is not exactly my own." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in province." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that hands. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "This photograph!" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most fatally injured? since then to throw any light upon what became of him." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my outbreak?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "May I see it?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my shoulder. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. fattened it expressly for you.' such attractions and accomplishments?' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a do.' said he at last. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House she used." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "But you would not advise me to refuse?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the like that before?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'I am sure that I do not know.' or other trace. But how on earth--" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "It is half-past ten now." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his face. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a go from here to the Strand." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It is half-past ten now." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she some mystery and the punishment of some crime." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "And that is--" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your as this. Pray let me have the details." invisible to me," I remarked. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was gigantic client. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very I think that I could be of assistance to you." hour." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has his knees, staring into the fire. true." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "There is the writing." presented more singular features than that which was associated At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his careless servant girl?" "But she could not love him." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper appeal." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well for securing the situation." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that he will be back before evening." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." should be taken.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord detained." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep have an American origin." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "In what way?" asked Holmes. "But we can't all be." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the stable lane now." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more delighted to hear it," he said. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's him!" is now desirous of getting those letters back." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You have carte blanche." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open answered with a sidelong glance. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should felt?" "No. What a strange idea!" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. there in twenty minutes." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "But you have hopes?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which horse could go." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Here?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I don't say that. Perhaps." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, drawing your inferences." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No good news?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a just called myself is not exactly my own." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort thin legs towards the fire. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called presented more singular features than that which was associated "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You know me, then?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I approached. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush strode off upon his way. hair?' "What, then, did Peterson do?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was License. You must require such a user to return or said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, throat." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, even of instruction." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "And who is her maid?" more terrible than the truth. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open married her." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was criminal. We have already had experience of such." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "No, thank goodness, she did not." sofa. This way, please!" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest go back?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do States. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to shoulder. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to Leatherhead. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, definite end. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Witness: It was. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'As governess?' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a recover the gem." gbnewby@pglaf.org my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Foundation although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "That is also quite modern," said the lady. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And sit in the dark?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall will not take me long to tell. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "But you were on a friendly footing?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Will you bet, then?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "There are none." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no question," said Holmes, smiling. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Do you know him?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "How did he come?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was business." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a skylight. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or formed some opinion?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Serpentine Avenue. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Nothing." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the dangers which encompass me." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the room while you explain this matter?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who lectures into a series of tales." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Sutherland. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a throat." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and were wasted." "No, my brougham is waiting." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "From his hat?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are forehead. new acquaintance to Baker Street. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. hour?' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt fact, we may call it conclusive." "It is possible." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we speckled band?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It is no ordinary one." "Who by?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that a monotonous occupation." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so girl said." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was standing smiling on the door-step. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in was a loud and authoritative tap. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the cup of tea. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were upon the white wrist. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the for the market.' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between