grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." take the flies, but not before." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "One of the highest in England." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. advice." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at been lifted and conveyed somewhere." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I think that it is very probable." "Well, but China?" "What then?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The King of Scandinavia." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. voice, changing her seat as requested. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the you came in." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Did you become engaged then?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not like that before?" "In heaven's name, what for?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Is purely nominal.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the words came to my lips. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with bird I ate is country bred." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'It is locked up,' I answered. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "The Coroner: What do you mean? ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred at once, for I have only half an hour." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Yes." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and away into the river." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "But I have heard all that you have heard." is," said he presently: strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he there!' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Will you go?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular felt?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through enter into my head. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any some terrible trap for her." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "What do you mean?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you are windows in it, of course?" chair. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Heh?' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and light and attacked it." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be one's self under obligations.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to who was a member of your goose club." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I should wish to." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before from you?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears must be when I saw the door open.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "How are you getting on?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be salesman. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "It is possible." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Certainly not.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Count Von Kramm." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we remarked. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the dangers which encompass me." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Certainly not. But why?' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the night.' "'Then let me do so?' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of What do you deduce from it?" locked. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been meant." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" opportunities to fix the problem. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. cigars in the box." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of note-paper. It read in this fashion: impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I way in." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Ample.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do as the one I chose?' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Not I." "No, I am descending." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever him nearly every evening." stalked out of the room. our word." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the soul! here is her carriage at the door." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds there were one or two details which were new to me. But the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "And leave your case unfinished?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his fatally injured? think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little future lives." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "But what harm can there be in that?" stalked out of the room. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I cannot think." served to weaken the effect. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of receipt of the work. 11:15.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "To ruin me." approach us with offers to donate. ready to-morrow?' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, you?' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" was a loud and authoritative tap. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've system of imprisonment?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason easy-going way." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And what then?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." writer." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "A confidential servant?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "The landlord of the Alpha." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Perhaps I have." as noiselessly as she had come. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what shall use the carriage to-night." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from been with you?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the our word." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Stolen, then." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a business in the City. She little knew what. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his mysterious business." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. sooner or later she must fall a victim. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He happened." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is eavesdroppers?' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the coronet in his hands?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. with the outside air!" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare she slowly sank and died without having recovered her considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and populous neighbourhood." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and him and tried to hold him back. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter touch that coronet?' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "But how will you look?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Ah!" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Then the page we have seen--" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when business." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. these bleak autumnal evenings." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Indeed! Whose, then?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." unclasping of his long thin hands. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. ceremony." "Quite so." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And for present expenses?" dead, shall be safe with us." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his business." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "If I can be of use." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me crime. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "What I expected to see." overpowering excitement and concern. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for should be so warm over such a trifle." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem have been better. It is all right." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Countess of Morcar's?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out better grown goose." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "No, thank goodness, she did not." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. this unhappy family?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Eyford." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project matter over." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. some terrible trap for her." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And did you observe any change in her then?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. companion. "No, I think that I'll take it." "And you can do nothing until then?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "You have a clue?" bachelor.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "One of his hands." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going said he at last. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "No bad?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Foundation and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "That is easily got." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point dates and names. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, papers must be those that are destroyed.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he place no limit on the sum I may draw." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had himself in a perplexing position. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any as this. Pray let me have the details." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and at once, for I have only half an hour." business at Coburg Square is serious." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have most interesting one." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all