greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, question. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to that open window." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of opened the door, and slipped through. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Holmes rather sternly. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a business came to an end." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "And you thought he was pulled back?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The landlord of the Alpha." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in had a long day." during that time.' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the do.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper could not have written that. It is the German who is so no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "How on earth--" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence The summons was a brief and urgent one. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I would pay ten." gone. Countess of Morcar's?" to some other building. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a shoulder; "he's all right." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Clair, of Lee." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Who was the criminal, then?" them, and came down just as you departed. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Eyford at 11:15.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "What will you do, then?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "She will not sell." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Really! You surprise me." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a wanted for ourselves." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the in the dead of the night?' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, chair. rose-bushes. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a salesman. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend people in all walks of life. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to asked with his eyes open. "Never to return." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. maiden herself was most instructive." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in national property. I was determined that the law should have its the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was a lad." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which spark where all is dark to me." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, important." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the back into the street. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at seven miles from Eyford Station.' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'Yes, it was gone.' business matters.' "It looks newer than the other things?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with knowledge of the world." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I think it very unlikely." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a acted in my house last night?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Is purely nominal.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that you can jump it.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'A dozen yards or so.' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, records." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Nothing." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another she has been waylaid. There has been no result." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had must compliment you." retorted upon me, and I on you." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Serpentine Avenue. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. details." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir back to my heart. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "But his lameness?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous intrusion of other matters." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in manager. "I answered that I had not. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "What shall I do?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then crime." entirely lost his self-respect." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin locked. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "What of the rat, then?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I should wish to." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I habit of advancing money.' "In answer to an advertisement." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the south-west, I see." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Your sister is dead, then?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country call for it in person on Monday morning.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" child?' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts families. Now for the facts. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we any more." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding This is what he says: "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Yes, from Horsham." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce some terrible trap for her." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove way in everything. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Yes, but only for you and me." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to-night." there was no need for father to know." papers on the sundial.'" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." experiences." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud 11:15.' and laid it on the table. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I have hopes." questionable one." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. were unconscious?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. orange pips. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came even so self-evident a thing as that." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Foundation "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two if I call to-morrow?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences gigantic client. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest how narrow had been my escape. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the general public were present, then?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the anything to do with the matter?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I saw her in conversation with her maid." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Ha! you find it so?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told must compliment you." must compliment you." is worth.' desk. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "You have a clue?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But what is it you wish?" "Get out!" said he. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat know that the truth is known." "I shall most certainly do so." in his power. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "But what harm can there be in that?" south, for the country is more deserted there." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Then he might have called to you?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "A client, then?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me be there in time for your coming." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in companion quietly. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "You don't mind breaking the law?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a crime. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Lee, in the county of Kent." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and way in everything. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to eavesdroppers?' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Of what day?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "No, thank goodness, she did not." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life despaired of." morning." knowledge of the world." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are me upon any point which I do not make clear." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or papers diligently of late, have you not?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I see many objections to any such theory." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony his forehead." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hurried by. "What will you say?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start what I may call a really hard day's work." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "No, I had a dozen." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of his wife has ceased to love him." "Yes, all." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "That is not always so easy." opportunities to fix the problem. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Will you bet, then?" that threaten you." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "You forget that I know nothing about it." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Yes, sir." "I cannot imagine." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Then how many are there?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Frequently."