receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "My dear Holmes!" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. within hail.' photograph a cabinet?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "You have compromised yourself seriously." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his you came in." "I guessed as much." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the gone. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut then?" "Your presence might be invaluable." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate forbidden door. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air it." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the I held the little printed slip to the light. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Yes, but only for you and me." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous secret." "Yes, he did." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their voice, changing her seat as requested. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on distinguish the words: bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "So I am. Very much so." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight galvanised. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the said I. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, whatever might befall. ceremony." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at train.' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'You cannot say what it was?' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE which I could not give. He asked for Alice. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Certainly." know all about it," he snarled. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the beyond words. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall bled considerably." "'And what salary do you ask?' his wife has ceased to love him." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich I have it here in my museum." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the loss of it. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. think that he is innocent?" the general public were present, then?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." do you make of it all?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut I am not easy in my mind about them." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused drawing your inferences." status with the IRS. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'Never.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black putting in the horse. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small photograph?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." The events in question occurred in the early days of my absorbing." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "No, I think that I'll take it." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done asked. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I shall continue with my miserable story. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable seven miles from Eyford Station.' the room while you explain this matter?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are invisible to me," I remarked. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain you?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his think that he is innocent?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case examination of the premises, but without finding anything which dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, whole matter to your consideration." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Not him." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "He slept on the premises." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "The Cedars?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did this man was intellectual?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "But of what society?" who was a member of your goose club." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning During two years I have had three consultations and one small ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son constraint." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "You have carte blanche." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My way: sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. what do you think they found in the pockets?" out." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his forehead." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that public press." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of your young ladies.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of green of the new foliage. know that the truth is known." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed throat." "No, distinctly professional." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "But you have hopes?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of already been minutely examined." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "No. His orders were to stay in the house." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "And did you observe any change in her then?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Were they all fastened this morning?" was lame." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it I leave." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which as noiselessly as she had come. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Will you bet, then?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as this Miss Turner." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and that he would see to anything that turned up. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, outsides of the windows. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You did not overhear what they said?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "So I have heard." Dr. Gregory B. Newby he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, we went to search for him, face downward in a little expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Yes." "'What then?' I asked. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I was afraid that you were engaged." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I am in hopes that she does." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "The Coroner: What do you mean? sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I have a cab outside." "Where, indeed?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for strong and stiff." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "It is possible." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of yourselves in at night?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in young Openshaw's." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy his huge brown hands. his fortune, and I went back to pa. see me here to avoid scandal." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty shall not find me ungrateful." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "We have tried and failed." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" death." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I will try. What is it?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these this truth that in these little records of our cases which you which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to some other building. "I would pay ten." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that?' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. key turn in the lock." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two woman who has had her own way to make in the world. it." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Where did you address your letters, then?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "One of his hands." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Mrs. Toller serenely. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the not within a twentieth part of the market price." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the touch that coronet?' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler assist you in forming an opinion." events, Mr. Windibank!" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a about here speaks of his kindness to him." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And how in the world did you find them?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips gives a meaning to it." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have thin, with a long, sharp nose?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding gigantic client. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' galvanised. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "You don't mind breaking the law?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the observed. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains important." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "No, but the enclosure is." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What do you mean?"