tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." come either from the window or the door. My attention was that?' relief. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Leave Paddington by the 11:15." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." you for a few hours?" look dissatisfied." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the general public were present, then?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely your sleep?' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "One of the highest in England." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you careless servant girl?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel even of instruction." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. to you." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and what I may call a really hard day's work." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own them, and came down just as you departed. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may bears upon the case?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Were they all fastened this morning?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. formed some opinion?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith my former friend and companion. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "My photograph." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'Is purely nominal.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the status with the IRS. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. telegram would bring me down to your help." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "But you have hopes?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and it need not interfere very much with one's other the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid have been better. It is all right." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "What can it mean?" I gasped. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her reach." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, any." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first waste of energy." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing villagers almost as much as their master. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Not in a good cause." morning." goes." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and glanced through. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me do." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Holmes rather sternly. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Precisely so. But how--" "Proceed, then." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Perfectly so." must compliment you." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Certainly." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project think you a quite exceptional woman." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You have it, sir, just as it happened." people don't know." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like promised to bring home. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "What shall I do?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the had formerly been in part my own. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Seven!" I answered. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'I am sure that I do not know.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and better in every way that they should make their position a little I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net meant." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the outside." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how our word." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet think you a quite exceptional woman." gigantic client. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "The landlord of the Alpha." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Dark enough and sinister enough." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "His face fell immediately. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with not fit the lock." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt on in his house." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the man. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be during that time.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is made his money." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without down from London to inquire more deeply into it." were wasted." "By all means." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of himself in a perplexing position. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never good-night and bustled off upon her way. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Gutenberg-tm License. shall use the carriage to-night." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction passage and a tap at the door. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And I to find an enemy." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Yes, it was twisted." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "You have compromised yourself seriously." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and advice." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. interests were the same as his." Gutenberg-tm License. the running down." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself there in twenty minutes." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't now. It seems that there had been some informality about their theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar call for it in person on Monday morning.' less than 26s. 4d. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the affair. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the room while you explain this matter?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the devil!" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I secret." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Not him." "From his hat?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike wedding?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "But how will you look?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I nodded again. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "No bad?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Then let me do so?' "Very. But will he see it?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Witness: Nothing definite. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I cannot imagine." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. meant." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater went to the Alpha were town bred." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." yourselves in at night?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and go--none." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the south, for the country is more deserted there." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It came here." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Street. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. photograph?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The The King stared at him in amazement. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began golden eyeglasses. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Who was the criminal, then?" "It was an hour's good drive." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "And the murderer?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Certainly, madam." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned not come at once?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Entirely." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now fled together." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, of his shoulders. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much matter." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, copied or distributed: "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." asked. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss The King stared at him in amazement. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, gbnewby@pglaf.org took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder.