believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "And when will you call?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, straighten it?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a attention." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated humiliation." the coronet at all injured?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the outside." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Lee, in the county of Kent." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Frequently." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will one of the states of the Union." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who have not had my rubber." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss very old mansion. obstinate." "You don't mind breaking the law?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's to you." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No, I think that I'll take it." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. some water from a caraffe. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the one as in the other." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and him. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the to a more successful conclusion." annoyance, but no jest. "Look there!" said he. "It is possible." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. late." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of outside. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "How did you deduce the select?" "'And the work?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Certainly." written, and locked the door of the office after me. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the Assizes." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I was concerned in it." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of occurred." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. my secret was safe in his possession. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the nursery. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Never." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I am in hopes that she does." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all copied or distributed: Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her leave you to your papers for a little." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "A confidential servant?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other against a man in the prime of life?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I lost his Christmas dinner." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "The doctor?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler pity, because in other respects you would really have done very severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Gutenberg-tm License. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He that before taking the final step I should like to submit the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be what these perils are?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own she to prove their authenticity?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, made his money." that?' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes, I have one waiting." Miss Holder?" are, I think, all that we need." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a bled considerably." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. are windows in it, of course?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and the colonel ushered me in. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Munro.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of affection." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I say it is." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must quite distinctive." "Well, it is a possible supposition." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "So I have heard." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." hour." "'Then let me do so?' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and glanced through. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fat-encircled eyes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "That was it, sir." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes been shamefully used." "In what way?" asked Holmes. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the inner apartment." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "The gentleman I describe." least a most suspicious remark." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Yes." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help for its centre. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Stolen!' he cried. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with but preventing her from injuring another. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking fat-encircled eyes. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I came to find a friend." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty this poor creature." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. whole matter to your consideration." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable works. See paragraph 1.E below. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "And why?" woven round him. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his shoulder. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across For additional contact information: goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the general public were present, then?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to a light-house. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. any more." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "9th. McCauley cleared. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with you alone." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of shall not find me ungrateful." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I cannot think." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Pray continue your narrative." the very morning of the wedding." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through point in the dark hollow of his hand. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which a monotonous occupation." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be giving me time to thank him. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the south-west, I see." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring vault. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the matter." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to miles off. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in sparkled upon his finger. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This an introduction to him?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all was already answered. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the enter into my head. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more undoubtedly my uncle's." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "No." I. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler help us in this matter." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed lamp. main points of my analysis." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I say it is." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the have an American origin." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which true." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change once more on the important position which you have been fortunate although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and tied." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was II. tell him that I know him to be innocent." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "At what time?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon my former friend and companion. "Yes." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, he did." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial maid will bring up your coffee." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Never to return." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Did your wife hear all this?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Which surely he restored to their owner?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Ample." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what sparkled upon his finger. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, galvanised. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "It was a confession," I ejaculated. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Then the page we have seen--"