"Then I shall certainly come." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Proceed, then." "My dear Holmes!" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "On your arm?" extraordinary contortions. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Do you know him?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Lee, in the county of Kent." imbecility!" he cried. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect lips." have established a very serious case against the son of the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and absorbing." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Not at all. I only doubt--' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an a room. everything which you would wish to know." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Miss Holder?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly arms and began to sob in a high treble key. you understand?" you for a few hours?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I nodded to show that I had heard. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to problems help me to do so." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging tell him that I know him to be innocent." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes McCarthy's innocence. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "But who is he?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view I shall continue with my miserable story. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from signal between you and your father? to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was annoyance, but no jest. gentleman's clothes. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Ten to two.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always mysterious end." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. was feeling which was the fattest.' way in everything. I leave." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "If so, much may have happened between." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to were wasted." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A one of the states of the Union." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he few hundred pounds.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have jewels which you have stolen?' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel envelope. "Then, how do you know?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of best detective that ever lived. "About a month then." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De one or two very singular points about this room. For example, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I think it very unlikely." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his to some other building. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to Leatherhead. the child." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "That's no good." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" some terrible trap for her." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the copied or distributed: manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have not had my rubber." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was fishes. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small chamber." a little more before I quite committed myself. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "If I can be of use." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties official police." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. you, my dear young lady?' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague 11:15.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'Which dealer's?' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "There are none." bird I ate is country bred." the matter." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his married her." in darkness. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further everything which you would wish to know." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross guilty parties." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, was not a bird to be seen there. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the said Mr. Holder. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. once more for Briony Lodge. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing be best to do. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to that open window." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "So I heard. You have him here?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are breakfast and whispered something to her husband. against a man in the prime of life?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which remarked. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "What are they?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "About a month then." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss quick march!" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous burst out into a roar of laughter. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence handed it to him. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love maid will bring up your coffee." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I am about to be married." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. in my life." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to fatally injured? case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the this man was intellectual?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "It is half-past ten now." Miss Holder?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg my little problems." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Was there a secret marriage?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Quite so." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the devil!" least a fellow-countryman. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." upon the sideboard." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, whether it answered to the description of any of their arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said said I. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that thin legs towards the fire. might help us?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Thank you. Pray proceed." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before one's self under obligations.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "A client, then?" "ARAT," I read. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, stammered. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Breckinridge is his name." him nearly every evening." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "It is very kind of you." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same once more. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "ARAT," I read. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Yes, he did." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sake, don't!" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "It was." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'How far from the body?' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! way in." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the IS enter into my head. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after straightened it out again. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" think that he is innocent?" it." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and begun to whiten, even as mine has." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "The knees of his trousers." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a as he folded up the epistle. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we several quiet little villages up there." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth or other trace. But how on earth--" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." maiden herself was most instructive." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and laid it on the table. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly dramatic, in fact." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I am in hopes that she does." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the ceiling. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. strong reason behind." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold must be when I saw the door open.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical