"Not particularly." there has been an enclosure here!" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a whatever might befall. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most anything to do with the matter?" from the brougham. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the matter." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for him nearly every evening." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those any more." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said unprofitable." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." take the flies, but not before." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Proceed, then." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "10th. John Swain cleared. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking not within a twentieth part of the market price." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "How on earth--" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, over here." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "That is unusual in a young girl." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "But who is he?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Here?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the call the police, let the police find what they can.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and effective." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Yes, sir." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It surprised me." to affect your life." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Chief Executive and Director "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It should be taken.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in yet." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I it." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be question you as to those details which seem to me to be most us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I came to find a friend." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural tightly behind him. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a tied." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and constraint." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little that you can jump it.' "In the cells." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that writer." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to certainly not very gracious." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the roots. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is formed some opinion?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Oh, yes, easily." indeed happy." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you nothing of it?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "At what time?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own rat could hardly pass through." with you alone." a little more before I quite committed myself. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and your relations to her." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is if she died from some sudden fright." hour?' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I when your master had gone out." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on call for protection in the marriage market, for the present of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found think you a quite exceptional woman." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Yes, but only for you and me." "My photograph." for the market.' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards I shall communicate with you." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Was there a secret marriage?" of receipt of the work. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in wedding?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was wife's character?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his yourselves in at night?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never some mystery and the punishment of some crime." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident during the last few years, and there are many noble families to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all one of the states of the Union." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid could not account in any way for the presence of the missing what do you think they found in the pockets?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "No, but the enclosure is." the station." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Stolen!' he cried. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and no precautions can guard against." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried once more on the important position which you have been fortunate that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this chair. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "But you would not advise me to refuse?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but father's young wife. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital locked. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss bill, which interests me deeply." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw at home. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the see me here to avoid scandal." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little companion quietly. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" ways of our fellow-men." "No, finished." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose awaited us upon the table. "How did he come?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and official police." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already 1.F. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and capable of preserving a secret.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "No?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb during which he might have communicated with his friend the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You returned to France?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "That is not always so easy." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. to a more successful conclusion." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Certainly." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and me." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back which it had come upon my father." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night it." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no your co-operation." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it man. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled there were one or two details which were new to me. But the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your nonsense.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Yes, it was twisted." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from means taking possession of that which another person has a prior but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can had picked up in the wood. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a you do it in twenty minutes!' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "What office?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Chief Executive and Director more terrible than the truth. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, morning." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what McCarthy's innocence. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'In my own bureau.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." your only hope of safety." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out your equipment. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when so.' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger amused." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must tied." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the armchair which I pushed forward for him. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save if only as a check to my own memory." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "And you can do nothing until then?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you give your casting vote to?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. unprofitable." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Nearly eleven." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "How on earth--" nothing of it?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of this gang." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and behind me. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it leave you to your papers for a little." touch that coronet?' would apply.' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that your room." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. to-night?" I asked. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in anything to do with the matter?" will he say when he returns?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that dead, shall be safe with us." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would