maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "But she could not love him." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day writers could invent nothing more crude." IS dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King generous with you in money matters.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Texas, I think." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the running down." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an guilty parties." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the fluttered off among the others. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "He said that you could solve anything." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "It certainly sounds feasible." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of not, dad?" she asked. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence This is what he says: large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Dr. Gregory B. Newby suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." awkward doing business with an alias." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I am armed." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry showing my impatience. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately have been better. It is all right." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "When did it break out?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I indeed happy." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Of what?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday peculiar to him. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Pool. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It is a murder, then?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate It may be so in this case, also." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by bird I ate is country bred." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came hardly wander." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to have been novel and of interest." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick in him." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end means taking possession of that which another person has a prior several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Absolutely none." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was ran thus: breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened official police." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be in his power. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Where could I find him?' "How can you tell that?" all-comprehensive glances. "'Yes, it was gone.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the nonsense.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat chemical work which was so dear to him. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the Assizes." second." "And is that all?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very bare slabs of marble. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself hard-headed British jury." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You have the photograph?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Who by?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Where to?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sneer upon his pale face. "You were travelling in the States?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in hair?' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is like that before?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I three fields round his house, and there he would take his doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Holmes rather sternly. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "No, I am descending." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many in one or two places in England?' is a common subject for conversation. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "And you can do nothing until then?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger once more. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'What are you doing there?' he asked. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "But she will refuse." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I leave." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the where we are going." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and sneer upon his pale face. populous neighbourhood." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. she to prove their authenticity?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Henry Baker is a member." over part of the map. "What do you read?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George room. "To the police?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have fait accompli?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had fled together." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Perhaps I have." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by you in yours." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it written. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Entirely." "No, thank goodness, she did not." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a my special province." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I nodded again. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Nothing?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Ha! you find it so?" as this. Pray let me have the details." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and laid it on the table. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he me what he had done with the three missing stones. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down what I may call a really hard day's work." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Where, indeed?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The vault. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'How far from the body?' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the house with me." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I should wish to." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have wedding?" the ceiling. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "What! Had he lost his wife?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten down in his armchair and closing his eyes. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for following enigmatical notices: "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless my special province." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for know that the truth is known." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a gigantic client. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and official police." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she not personally threatened." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Never." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And I say east," said my patient. "'I have heard so.' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" evidence," I remarked. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Precisely." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Really! You surprise me." "The Coroner: What do you mean? character. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Never to return." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of nonsense.' "'Very good.' room?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "What of the rat, then?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to chamber." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead a good hundred miles off by now." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'About the same.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. before, for it was considerably after midnight. good for you to do.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these chance." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "What then?" "Then how many are there?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the it." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were overpowering excitement and concern. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural it right.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Who by?" affection." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I green of the new foliage. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." he bowed and left the room without another word. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "He said too much." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day carpenter." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that there was nothing in it, after all." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if tapping his fingers upon the table. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been would apply.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Dirty?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who wedding?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried excitement. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "A greater distance to travel." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "But you were on a friendly footing?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it crowd. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, but only for you and me." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us too. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that