test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Look there!" said he. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would such attractions and accomplishments?' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the side-table." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I crackling voice. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I guessed as much." retorted upon me, and I on you." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had visitors." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating jewels which you have stolen?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. noting anything else of interest. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Thank you. And your address?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the warnings." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Perhaps I have." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'In my own bureau.' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into gone before you can get him to hospital." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Yes, that is the Crown." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the window, rose as we entered. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to quick march!" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a with you?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that there in twenty minutes." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, villagers almost as much as their master. papers on the sundial.'" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Yes, he did." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United writing, and yet I know it well." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm putting in the horse. daring than any effort of the imagination." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Yes, sir." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Where to?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out that I can to serve you." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes remarked. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "This concluded the examination of the witness." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "And what then?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two bearing upon the case." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, bird I ate is country bred." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it one of the states of the Union." o'clock is it?" it right.' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months in. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the coroner come to?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate cost them two and thirty pounds." must compliment you." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. his face. disappearance of the bride.'" question," said Holmes, smiling. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will father's young wife. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "And help." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Then you may be so with me." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' roused himself from his reverie. "From his hat?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "BALLARAT." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." a very grave face. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the away to you." your only hope of safety." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. upon the shelf for the interim." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Project Gutenberg-tm works. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was least a most suspicious remark." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Murdered?" it." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. enough to aid us in our search." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, approach us with offers to donate. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to change my dress. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." unclasping of his long thin hands. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the loss of it. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or happened." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Oh, fresh and glossy." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Ten to two.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." will not take me long to tell. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'You cannot say what it was?' morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was wedding?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Not social, then?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to mystery may be cleared along those lines." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "To the police?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly never will be, entirely cleared up. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and capable of preserving a secret.' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of me have 200 pounds?' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of province." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the devil!" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Proceed, then." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Stolen, then." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. ourselves in the office." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No, I am descending." and capable of preserving a secret.' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'Ten to two.' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' bonnet, and went out." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. indiscretion." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how populous neighbourhood." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," me where it went to?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little coroner's jury." becomes even more simple." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something green of the new foliage. into the bag, and made for the door. "That sounds a little paradoxical." that I am arrested." "And you don't know his address?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Eyford." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And when will you call?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. his eyes and forehead. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend 1.E.9. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room made his money." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Absolutely none." money should be paid at once.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." said I. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter might have a private word with us. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A walking." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been his grey eyes. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'And what salary do you ask?' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "10th. John Swain cleared. "Did your wife hear all this?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have bare slabs of marble. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the warnings." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of I nodded to show that I had heard. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Dr. Becher's." call it cruel." were new raised from a basin. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "No?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have mystery may be cleared along those lines." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading peculiar to him. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'What then?' I asked. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I say that I have solved it." fatally injured? leaning back in his chair. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'I am sure that I do not know.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "It looks newer than the other things?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook past. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of desk. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. forecastle of an emigrant ship. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "If I can be of use." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing locked." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. ashen face. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the coroner come to?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Street. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that was feeling which was the fattest.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that threaten you." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to them, and came down just as you departed. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the ceiling. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know clang of the bell. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Yes, but only for you and me." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for bedroom door." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Then, how do you know?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were if only as a check to my own memory." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources