everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that she might be summoned. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across distance from the station, and there we found the young lady brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'I have already given you my word.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Precisely so. But how--" discontent upon his features. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had from you?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried him. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I cannot tell." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, delirious. "Yes." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow lost his Christmas dinner." to arrive at through this?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her foresight and the moral retrogression?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes, there are nearly always some there." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a room. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "No, I am descending." "How do you know, then?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in against a man in the prime of life?" strength of mind to control. "Ample." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not matter." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I spark where all is dark to me." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "It is half-past ten now." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Not I." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Most admirably.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the devil!" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk anything to do with the matter?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the there has been an enclosure here!" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, carriage. It was a chestnut." it with his own hands." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as fattened it expressly for you.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "We were both in the photograph." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the matter." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Well, but China?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "This concluded the examination of the witness." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "But you would not advise me to refuse?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "How often?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill go back?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the residence of the great financier. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Then what has happened to him?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." good-night and bustled off upon her way. it were putty." directors, with the result that you have seen." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been detective. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who or in danger--" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when James Windibank. Voilà tout!" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, strength." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and cost them two and thirty pounds." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Yes." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yes." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and true." been shamefully used." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." cigars in the box." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "No, I think that I'll take it." bare slabs of marble. help us in this matter." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the forehead. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and your co-operation." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I could gather together that I was able to avert another public abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to his chemical studies. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which are rolled in Rotterdam." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the running down." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an could gather together that I was able to avert another public landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, answered with a sidelong glance. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It is no ordinary one." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "So I am. Very much so." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to such attractions and accomplishments?' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a had this final quarrel? "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of them has the shutters up.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their things are very often connected not with the larger but with the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of dates and names. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself noise which awoke you from your sleep?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further suspect him." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "And what did you learn from him?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was his wife has ceased to love him." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping was keenly on my guard against him. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair like that before?" ordinary clothes on?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And what did you learn from him?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Holmes' thin, eager face. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, room had already been engaged for us. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The vanishing of the lady." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'No, I know no one in these parts.' for and were ordered to this address. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless passage and a tap at the door. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his congenial hunt. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "How are you getting on?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Where, indeed?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently developed." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Can I be of assistance?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "What! You do not mean bodies?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always is," said he presently: own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying DISSOLVED. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his eyes and forehead. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed any." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "10th. John Swain cleared. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. night.' said he. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was points to suicide?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the whole matter to your consideration." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and wanted for ourselves." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been from the brougham. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to hereditary King of Bohemia." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have been better. It is all right." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "You horrify me!" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Where did he live, then?" "At the wedding breakfast." be there in time for your coming." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Indeed! Whose, then?" minor matters until to-morrow." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else acted in my house last night?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method had no one to advise her at such a crisis." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was spare." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "No, I had a dozen." hand, madam?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE rat could hardly pass through." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, me have 200 pounds?' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It is a murder, then?" "And the murderer?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in most interesting one." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But what harm can there be in that?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and files of the old papers, following the future career of every village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "What is it?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan which we had just quitted. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" London for the present?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been dear old homesteads?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight murdered man." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and brandy and water within his reach. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the nothing of it?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the fact, we may call it conclusive." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "What can it mean?" I gasped. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "No." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were spare." then?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "9th. McCauley cleared. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts,