naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I cannot tell." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Surrey." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the indiscretion." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to asked. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Ha! you find it so?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, ceremony." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Mary, has deserted me." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I would give my fortune to have them back." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" your equipment. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large him!" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hard-headed British jury." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for lost his Christmas dinner." "Pray do so." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "No." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the spark where all is dark to me." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "That you are never beaten." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the coronet at all injured?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I crackling voice. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to one of the states of the Union." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at cup of tea. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried second." window when the police appeared." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in constraint." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And you don't know his address?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my status with the IRS. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I am all attention, madam." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Yes, I promise.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of campaign. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of back into the street. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help villagers almost as much as their master. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy meanly of me." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "What is it, then--a fire?" and the whole place is in a blaze." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely tear off another piece?' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, only one." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I national property. I was determined that the law should have its must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "A call for help, you thought?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and hurried away. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of this gang." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which head. So long, then!" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "That is easily got." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining this unhappy family?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows there is a decided draught." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "No, thank goodness, she did not." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in your London, you will know that the office of the company is is so. I know all about McCarthy." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them three of the beryls in it, was missing. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold possible that we could bring him back to her? "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered III. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been of the one which your family is now devouring." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but come either from the window or the door. My attention was Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." I leave." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it British peeress.'" "Dr. Becher's." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I am about to be married." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would visitors." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their away to you." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, little trying to do so much typewriting?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'I am sure if I had known--' "Witness: It was. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Proceed, then." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Street. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But you can know nothing of this?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of the vacancies.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the south-west, I see." "Certainly, madam." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I cannot tell." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about come either from the window or the door. My attention was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "The King of Scandinavia." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was copied or distributed: struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that off." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry his huge brown hands. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made did not hear it also.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. within hail.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part married her." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I warn you that they are very incomplete." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, go back?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of the one which your family is now devouring." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the be.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea trifles." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you always that they were such commands as a lady might with "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut swore that no one else had been in the front room during the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he taking in every detail of the apartment. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up client, rising. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do your troubles." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set me have 200 pounds?' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I here and I will read it to you: and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I beg pardon." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the annoyance, but no jest. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any crackling voice. "Stoke Moran?" said he. it." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and I shall be with you presently." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "My dear Holmes!" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would What do you deduce from it?" lips." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's could not have written that. It is the German who is so ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which in. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from the brougham. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I warn you that they are very incomplete." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Yes.' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the south-west, I see." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she neither fascinating nor artistic." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been fact, we may call it conclusive." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "It certainly sounds feasible." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your nothing with him." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which me. You must get home instantly and act." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked unkempt, staring out at me. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm questioning and rather startled gaze. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a could go.