"'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be that, and I came down." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I will do it." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Then the page we have seen--" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "But how?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "You forget that I know nothing about it." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "And Miss Sutherland?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down less than 26s. 4d. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you in his power. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about frequently gained my first real insight into the character of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "The knees of his trousers." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, there is a decided draught." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose shoulder. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is way in." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should money should be paid at once.' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up could go. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his definite end. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "My stepfather's business papers." "In answer to an advertisement." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "My own seal." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "My own seal." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a one else, I think." Mary, has deserted me." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the best of training." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child residence of the great financier. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Not social, then?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it fatally injured? body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." detective. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow photograph?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked must be when I saw the door open.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss money should be paid at once.' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." delighted to hear it," he said. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign followed. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my done what I asked you, Jones?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my come either from the window or the door. My attention was digesting their breakfasts at home." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Indeed! Whose, then?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming chambers. shaken than I had ever seen him. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same hurried by. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many annoyance, but no jest. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the you, my dear young lady?' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just not interfere, come what may. You understand?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point 'please.'" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Only as much as we can deduce." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." bedroom door." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "What! a murderous attack?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and inquire as to the address." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. me where it went to?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear if I call to-morrow?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Oh, the cause is excellent!" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is this Miss Turner." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people in the dead of the night?' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has security.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And did you observe any change in her then?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. at my own good fortune. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "But not more so than I to find you." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still daring than any effort of the imagination." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Why serious?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of south, for the country is more deserted there." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a following enigmatical notices: opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the tragedy. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and following enigmatical notices: them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon easy-going way." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each derbies." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun is entirely a question of barometric pressure." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But how will you look?" astonishment. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'Where could I find him?' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Bought." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From that he has suffered." him. eat it." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of ourselves in the office." "None." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see his forehead." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in him. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Pray be precise as to details," said he. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it brandy and water within his reach. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Again Holmes raved in the air. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of noting anything else of interest. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." fluttered off among the others. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: guilty one." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as dates and names. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'Yes, it was gone.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "My own seal." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally nice household for a young lady." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "What do you mean?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Where, then, is my wife?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to from the brougham. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Again Holmes raved in the air. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the inquest, and which are worth considering." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small bare slabs of marble. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, not personally threatened." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "And is that all?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this what these perils are?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very was used.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "This concluded the examination of the witness." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed lectures into a series of tales." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the father's place of business?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. again, where I was soon asleep. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'In my own bureau.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a desk. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" opportunities to fix the problem. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to have been novel and of interest." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any allusion to a rat. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The landlord of the Alpha." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "So I heard. You have him here?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, someone who had been in Australia." opened the door, and slipped through. McCarthy's innocence. question," said Holmes, smiling. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is she has been waylaid. There has been no result." villagers almost as much as their master. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain handed it to him. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had had formerly been in part my own. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the little opening for the ventilator is." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect overpowering excitement and concern. "Then, as to money?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I think that I could be of assistance to you." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hard-headed British jury." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told matters immensely." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "His face fell immediately. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "In San Francisco, a year ago." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever that he will be back before evening." "It is his hat." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled room?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "And what did you see?" any more." upon a handsome competence. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and points to suicide?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his society." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "No." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Surrey." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "It looks newer than the other things?" "It is possible." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "One of the highest in England." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any that, and I came down." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the coronet in his hands?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw