"I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of Mr. Rucastle's." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "And I say east," said my patient. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Very much so." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire passage and a tap at the door. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fire. You quite follow me?" "Why serious?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's annoyance, but no jest. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Why did you beat the pavement?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I shall not find me ungrateful." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Countess of Morcar's?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I have hopes." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "What can you not understand?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which his grey eyes. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next made his money." window when the police appeared." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Precisely." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Not him." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for business?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." matter over." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our because she had spent so short a time in this country that she should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring money should be paid at once.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Literary Archive Foundation "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "How do you know, then?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. trifles." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one asked. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'And the work?' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Pray do so." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could cost them two and thirty pounds." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Did your wife hear all this?" you came in." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't remarked. "I don't believe it." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Nothing?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Perhaps we may make them less so." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police roused himself from his reverie. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a miles off. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of chill to my heart. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "What then?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a way: in him." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in your London, you will know that the office of the company is touch that coronet?' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, at home. I think that I could be of assistance to you." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, conclusions. "And how in the world did you find them?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than time." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be about here speaks of his kindness to him." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the get her out of the way." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away entirely devoid of interest." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "What do you mean?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my front of me. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wedding?" waste of energy." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Pray do so." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and your relations to her." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford young Openshaw's." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "That also I could fathom." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like as he folded up the epistle. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Clair, of Lee." in the dead of the night?' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well over here." she might be summoned. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'What, the red-headed man?' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey him. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You these bleak autumnal evenings." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "You know me, then?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Then, how do you know?" entirely devoid of interest." feature." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and indiscretion." investigation." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of the one which your family is now devouring." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster woman." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such manager. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. are windows in it, of course?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Precisely." quite distinctive." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Then the page we have seen--" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring What do you deduce from it?" coat-tails." pierced for earrings?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending memory. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with question you as to those details which seem to me to be most We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the go--none." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in this way: "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. speckled band?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Lee, in the county of Kent." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If not use it unless it is absolutely needed." all?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Stolen!' he cried. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you for a few hours?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while indiscretion." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, opened the door, and slipped through. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a locked." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several chamber." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Nothing." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates gigantic client. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "How long did she speak to this Alice?" words came to my lips. again before evening." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "And why?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What then?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are which it had come upon my father." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "But your client--" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the affection." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he way: a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one *** START: FULL LICENSE *** purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have side. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition families. Now for the facts. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of gigantic client. interested in these little problems, and since you are good B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Yes." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign thought that she would have been so carried away." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "No." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, directors, with the result that you have seen." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to as noiselessly as she had come. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Munro.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and father's place of business?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the or in danger--" that of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, lectures into a series of tales." DISSOLVED. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Why did you pick him?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to acted in my house last night?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to talk it over. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But I have heard all that you have heard." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "What! You do not mean bodies?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came national property. I was determined that the law should have its A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such in a friendly supper." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I say that I have solved it." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Yes, that is the Crown." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the astonishment. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Come in!" said Holmes. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Were they all fastened this morning?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and bedroom door." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a bearing upon the case." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, crackling voice. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "But I have heard all that you have heard." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Quite so." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, at my own good fortune. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Pope's Court. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what away to you." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was