"And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord you?" "He said that you could solve anything." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to his forehead." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the questionable one." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the child." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Your French gold?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And your father? Did you tell him?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Henry Baker is a member." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. husband's writing, madam." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." before, for it was considerably after midnight. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Come in!" said Holmes. have got?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." towards the blaze. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Did you become engaged then?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "That is not always so easy." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "The knees of his trousers." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Dirty?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it with his own hands." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the waste of energy." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And how have you succeeded?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "To the police?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'Certainly not. But why?' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most must compliment you." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "No, thank goodness, she did not." arrangements." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense point in the dark hollow of his hand. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and money should be paid at once.' article?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it will take you up to see the machine.' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully brain must have something in it." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "The rest you will leave in our hands." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is ready to-morrow?' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had dramatic, in fact." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty than to us. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far him, that man would not have given me such complete information "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bird I ate is country bred." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one to change my dress. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Holmes. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must voice, changing her seat as requested. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he as he remarks, very much against the son." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "And you can do nothing until then?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Bought." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for bachelor.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'Where to?' I took the paper from him and read as follows: have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "And you thought he was pulled back?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, trying to your nerves." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "What! You do not mean bodies?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, nights." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, client, rising. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the ceremony." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird deduce something from that?" had a long day." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is address. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I shall communicate with you." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as round and wave him away like that.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of this as likely?" look dissatisfied." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large you." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled of them has the shutters up.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. said he. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "We must have a cab." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the night.' see a sister of mine apply for." you?' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' over with notes and figures. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I cannot imagine." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. think that he is innocent?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn mysterious business." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." obstinate." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "What! Had he lost his wife?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is pity, because in other respects you would really have done very common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I will get her to show me." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have memory. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the loss of it. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Absolutely none." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Will you go?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And what then?" papers." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Absolutely none." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "No, I think that I'll take it." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "When did it break out?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Cross for the Continent." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, redistribution. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which woman." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried awkward doing business with an alias." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will whether it answered to the description of any of their "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your about here speaks of his kindness to him." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the tragedy. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, some water from a caraffe. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "And how?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' hurried away. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He shall use the carriage to-night." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "At half-wages, in fact." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I shall be delighted." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "To an English lawyer named Norton." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, have been better. It is all right." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire think you a quite exceptional woman." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Yes." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose children over to America with him, so that I found myself without was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have detained." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "But what harm can there be in that?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I client, rising. unclasping of his long thin hands. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes, at the mines." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I cannot as yet see any connection." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It is solved." persecution?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "What!" he roared. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed digesting their breakfasts at home." "No bad?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to arrive at through this?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Witness: Nothing definite. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Leadenhall Street--and--" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." that there was nothing in it, after all." "Quite so." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not could gather together that I was able to avert another public time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Why did you pick him?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "But she will refuse." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that your billet.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round now. It seems that there had been some informality about their a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that