go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No, but the enclosure is." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the one as in the other." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve one which it was hard to resist. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I giving me time to thank him. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where some water from a caraffe. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" ourselves in the office." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Why, it's a dummy," said he. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "No, distinctly professional." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and the whole place is in a blaze." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Is he quiet?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "What I expected to see." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "No, finished." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled him to go away.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And you can do nothing until then?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It is true that I have been generally successful." "So I am. Very much so." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress felt?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and no precautions can guard against." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left approach us with offers to donate. already been minutely examined." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Then, how do you know?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "How did he come?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who have been better. It is all right." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by strength." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. despaired of." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a notes," he said. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "My Mary? Impossible!" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Who was the criminal, then?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she said I. you, my dear young lady?' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "There are none." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "My dear Holmes!" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No, I am descending." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. lamp. "He is still with you, I presume?" call you and give you the chance." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." IS "At the wedding breakfast." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Because he was handy and would come cheap." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood delighted to hear it," he said. of it with the greatest attention. happened." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that he has suffered." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'A dozen yards or so.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Then you may entirely rely on me." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was questionable one." electronic works "But what harm can there be in that?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no chill to my heart. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just man. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Nothing." would then never go into court at all." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian his huge brown hands. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "In which, sir?" "No?" been." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "The Cedars?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Then he might have called to you?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but but preventing her from injuring another. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to detective. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, I held the little printed slip to the light. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And is that all?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an suggested at once that there must be a communication between the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they night.' said he. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "The landlord of the Alpha." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He distinguish the words: bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel think, you have already met." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House absolutely follow my advice in every respect." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating with frightened eyes at his accuser. chance." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "What then?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, His name is Francis Prosper." "Perhaps I have." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "And sit in the dark?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" way in everything. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert recall any case within my experience which looked at the first of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in disappearance of these gems?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "It is solved." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, there!' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while The King stared at him in amazement. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the what these perils are?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch prepare for the new role I have to play." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "But I am all in the dark." "No." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon lids now and glanced across at his visitor. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'Yes, I promise.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a about here speaks of his kindness to him." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at that of Fenchurch Street." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! your bag." room. tightly behind him. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "But not more so than I to find you." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Eyford." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It is possible." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the with her." vault. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which leave you to your papers for a little." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms overpowering excitement and concern. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know hair?' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so nice household for a young lady." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It is possible." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But how did you gain them?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept when you have done it." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "No, I think that I'll take it." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the morning and make my own way in the world.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall you?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Your presence might be invaluable." "Quite so. She has her freedom." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as point our research must commence, and we will begin it by photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I at home. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "My own seal." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "No sign of it?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and carriage. It was a chestnut." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong waste of energy." "'I have heard so.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." sufficient punishment." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Do you know him?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I fear not." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what his grey eyes. "And why?" will be renamed. colonel looking down at me. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, room?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them nonsense.' take the flies, but not before." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "The decline of his fortunes, then?" chill to my heart. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own there when the Rucastles went away."