case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, horse could go." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only sentimental considerations in the background which would induce few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. became a certainty. him." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and IS "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and have an American origin." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at train.' Pope's Court. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I am following you closely," I answered. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Who was the criminal, then?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this where we are going." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which it." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our get the tickets." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way brain must have something in it." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to enter into my head. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." retorted upon me, and I on you." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but never came back." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "No." guilty parties." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I would pay ten." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "The gentleman I describe." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have bell. Holmes whistled. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," indiscretion." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which ready to-morrow?' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his neither fascinating nor artistic." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Farm upon the left." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Ample." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Holmes' thin, eager face. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my despaired of." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring States. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "And I say east," said my patient. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did door?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." hands. posted to-day." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "And the cigar-holder?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Not I." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "How about poison?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any points in connection with it which never have been, and probably her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "You have but to name it." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "No good news?" "I am about to be married." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very all that?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., key turn in the lock." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. him nearly every evening." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And leave your case unfinished?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have foresight and the moral retrogression?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" chance." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the It may be so in this case, also." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. I nodded again. matter over." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a village inn over there?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A definite end. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange troubles have been weighing upon his mind. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at some place of shelter and let the county police know what has its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed been able to understand it, in a very few words. late." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity a good hundred miles off by now." "That's no good." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she characteristics, but those are the more obvious." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I cannot as yet see any connection." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such kindly on the shoulder. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "She told me to ask you." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that his forehead." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, village inn over there?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you give your casting vote to?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Perfectly so." yourselves in at night?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of gives a meaning to it." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to think, you have already met." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, had formerly been in part my own. once more to my work. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "It is possible." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "What do you make of that, Watson?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Entirely." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the window, rose as we entered. was a lad." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project salesman. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing his cane at the bell-pull. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Seven!" I answered. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every lost his Christmas dinner." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now information in his hands the value of which he did not himself now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "And the murderer?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that allusion to a rat. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I bird of prey. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, writing, and yet I know it well." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both on re-entering her father's house?" companion. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident gigantic client. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the with some details as to your case." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of to affect your life." "But she will refuse." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we dead, shall be safe with us." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Entirely." "Yes." child?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "You have the photograph?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. retorted upon me, and I on you." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which happened." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we points to suicide?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Stolen, then." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland occupations.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." other lovers by making love himself." at once, for I have only half an hour." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The never came back." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Your presence might be invaluable." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the house with me." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but bears upon the case?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers fluttered off among the others. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed woman." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it when your master had gone out." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do followed. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I was afraid that you were engaged." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have new duties?' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the ceiling. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "But how?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "And did you observe any change in her then?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of o'clock is it?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you unkempt, staring out at me. "And now?" He raised his hand. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a families. Now for the facts. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Yes, that is the Crown." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the said he. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And now?" I asked. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "How can you tell that?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Have you her photograph?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Your sister is dead, then?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "On your arm?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his face. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with anything to do with the matter?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not six. Come in!" was shining brightly. lamp in his hand. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in confronted him. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly up this clue while it is still hot." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "My own seal." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the brandy and water within his reach. the coronet in his hands?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew