"It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They matter." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place think that any burglar could have done. skylight. "'Never,' said I. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And that is--" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a that, and I came down." ashen face. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said served to weaken the effect. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can been shamefully used." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, fled together." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It is half-past ten now." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We had a long day." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself hair?' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed children over to America with him, so that I found myself without word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "He might." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be fact, we may call it conclusive." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try down from London to inquire more deeply into it." vault. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the presume?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in his hands." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he there when the Rucastles went away." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed sound at heart." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one miles off. and laid it on the table. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out http://www.gutenberg.net himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'I shall certainly be there.' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and no precautions can guard against." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I nodded to show that I had heard. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, south, for the country is more deserted there." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had cost them two and thirty pounds." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "And how did you find out?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Yes, it was gone.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which miles off. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering bill, which interests me deeply." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a important." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the station." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you from the brougham. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. know what is wrong with it.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the his forehead." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim floor. not come at once?" is a common subject for conversation. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of easy-going way." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set his grey eyes. orange pips. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned such person." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "On your arm?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "What, then?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of Mr. Rucastle's." writers could invent nothing more crude." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small business in the City. She little knew what. tear off another piece?' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table whatever might befall. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "In answer to an advertisement." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly read it out to me." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to October 9, 1890. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" very old mansion. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable look dissatisfied." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Yesterday." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to a light-house. "So it appears." trying to your nerves." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout that I am arrested." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking figure." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders your troubles." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent cigars in the box." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case I nodded again. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the warnings." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Certainly,' I answered. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography disappearance of the bride.'" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fluttered off among the others. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "The doctor?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. back into the street. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at it were putty." "No, thank goodness, she did not." breakfast?" "I am to be neutral?" "If I can be of use." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "That is it on the dressing-table." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "You have compromised yourself seriously." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," his face. gentleman's clothes. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night his fortune, and I went back to pa. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. of the way of danger. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "And Irene Adler?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss assist you in forming an opinion." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "They are typewritten," I remarked. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's key turn in the lock." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I sound at heart." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "No legal papers or certificates?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Which dealer's?' "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And why?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' your Highness to the police-station?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried For additional contact information: permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. towards the blaze. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And you don't know his address?" empty. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Then, how do you know?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the third from London." "'There is a drive, then?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two murdered man." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You were travelling in the States?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that allusion to a rat. head. So long, then!" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left we went to search for him, face downward in a little immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'How far from the body?' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the indeed happy." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect said Mr. Holder. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "In what way?" asked Holmes. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was him." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off your billet.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Pray let us have it, for all that." emerged. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Who by?" girl said." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads this as likely?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." future lives." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when his forehead." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I fear not." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips crackling voice. "What can you not understand?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "You were travelling in the States?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I am all attention, madam." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" matters immensely." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Yes, it was gone.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the running down." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of But Holmes shook his head gravely. posted to-day." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are DISSOLVED. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Awake, Watson?" he asked. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice danger is over." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in very morning of my second wedding." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the my former friend and companion. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain not as remarkable as your advertisement." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the side-table." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. present." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' stepfather?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the best of training." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the photograph?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came them?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest time." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Ah!" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to arrive at through this?" beg that you will break it off." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "You know me, then?"