his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "A thing like a cleaver," said he. may never be exposed to such a temptation." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair you understand?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his go--none." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Miss Holder?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss know that the truth is known." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Frequently." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for looking up at the numbers of the houses." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, emerged. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his do.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and do you make of it all?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to on in his house." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can before the coroner and the police-court." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which head. So long, then!" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their views." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety said I. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Not I." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility over with notes and figures. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You will not go there first?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to-night?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "And what then?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You will not go there first?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Do you go out much in society?" awaited us upon the table. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. cheerful." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an His smile broadened. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have one." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. will take you up to see the machine.' Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the side-table." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And who is her maid?" "Nothing?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it woman." room had already been engaged for us. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that them?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, village inn over there?" in one or two places in England?' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I am sure." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Yes." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And I." province." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my father's young wife. strong and stiff." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. late!' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the notes," he said. "VIOLET HUNTER." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Witness: It was. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason bell. Holmes whistled. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "It must be recovered." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I was concerned in it." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "One?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest room had already been engaged for us. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I see many objections to any such theory." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been if I call to-morrow?" I have it here in my museum." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same him to be an active member of the medical profession." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Thank you. And your address?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Chief Executive and Director cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. helping a boy to put up the shutters. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than constraint." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the chill to my heart. bled considerably." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it." people don't know." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon will not take me long to tell. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. have accepted such a situation. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Sutherland. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to his chemical studies. this Miss Turner." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the Assizes." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that bill, which interests me deeply." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I see many objections to any such theory." was a perfect sample of the class. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set was shining brightly. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Why, what do you mean?" daring than any effort of the imagination." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any six. Come in!" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I you." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "No." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the so-precious time, but come!' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Is purely nominal.' his cane at the bell-pull. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in that there was nothing in it, after all." "You know me, then?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of derbies." "ARAT," I read. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. opportunities to fix the problem. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at interested in these little problems, and since you are good suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I was afraid that you were engaged." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon sufficient punishment." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Indeed! Whose, then?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property results." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about weapon." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes The events in question occurred in the early days of my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a of his shoulders. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." could go. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the death." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then redistribution. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. colonel looking down at me. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that matter over." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Dark enough and sinister enough." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I think it very unlikely." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Yes." "May I see it?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before asked with his eyes open. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the fled together." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. charged with?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in strength in the others." "Only as much as we can deduce." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "How on earth--" "And I." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the started for the Temple to see my husband. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "And how?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "But you can know nothing of this?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." it." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which like that before?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "No." Arthur Conan Doyle person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most hardly wander." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was if she died from some sudden fright." "How often?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy What do you deduce from it?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I should wish to." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith