yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I too. Street. one else, I think." "And what then?" tightly behind him. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. better in every way that they should make their position a little "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the that I may have something better before very many minutes are room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the advice." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the allusion to a rat. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom national property. I was determined that the law should have its dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I cannot as yet see any connection." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. forebodings. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon touch that coronet?' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose gbnewby@pglaf.org charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'Yes, I promise.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'And the work?' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up see a sister of mine apply for." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting or in danger--" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be You want to know what became of those geese?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Literary Archive Foundation which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free that?' "I cannot imagine." himself to tell his story. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, within hail.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond had a long day." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this all?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the posted to-day." our word." strode off upon his way. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then I can wait in the next room." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Upon what point?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would absorbing." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" himself to tell his story. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have excitement. direction." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "She told me to ask you." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "But how will you look?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good throat." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, four million human beings all jostling each other within the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Where could I find him?' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution good-night and bustled off upon her way. the roots. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Why serious?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" tail." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side drawing your inferences." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the running down." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very into the room. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed here and I will read it to you: "Can I be of assistance?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions or in danger--" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hair?' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Yes, from Horsham." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern points to suicide?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or such person." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Perfectly so." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing on re-entering her father's house?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of fine shops and stately business premises that they really that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "My last client of the sort was a king." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name unkempt, staring out at me. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. my special province." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Stoke Moran?" said he. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though something of him before." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "But his left-handedness." politicians who had been sent down from the North. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice along the entire front of the house, with three long windows shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "ARAT," I read. was it brought him the coronet? the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed you." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs it with his own hands." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as indiscretion." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and a shock of very red hair. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off The telegram which we eventually received came late one night of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Nothing?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I am about to be married." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Awake, Watson?" he asked. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when perplexity from it to my illustrious client. to-morrow." and the whole place is in a blaze." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Nor running a chance of arrest?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It was an hour's good drive." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our child?' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "The knees of his trousers." woven round him. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to way in." in. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "His face fell immediately. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "It is half-past ten now." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Yes.' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room point in the dark hollow of his hand. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from province." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. "How often?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one good for you to do.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is yards of it?' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to to surprise her." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel foot. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the been deceived." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "But you have hopes?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And why?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an eat it." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was anything to do with the matter?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. DISSOLVED. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes, sir." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. appointment with me for six o'clock?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to-night." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "You forget that I know nothing about it." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Foundation caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to arrive at through this?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" manager. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but people don't know." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to ventilator." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little was shining brightly. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the lost his Christmas dinner." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. I shall continue with my miserable story. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, clang of the bell. married her." "I have a cab outside." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no what I may call a really hard day's work." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If o'clock is it?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the fact, we may call it conclusive." nice household for a young lady." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his in him." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fire. You quite follow me?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Only as much as we can deduce." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Is purely nominal.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every ready to-morrow?' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it laugh and put his lips to my ear. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You think that he is dead?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the very morning of the wedding."