"Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her point our research must commence, and we will begin it by fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered electronic works "Thank you. Pray proceed." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Game for a morning drive?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed ventilator." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am sufficient punishment." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see note?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the I held the little printed slip to the light. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a criminal. We have already had experience of such." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." is a common subject for conversation. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, asked. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple recall any case within my experience which looked at the first screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I have hopes." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. plantation.' guilty one." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And I." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was spark where all is dark to me." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "If so, much may have happened between." examine." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining prisoner's face. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Never.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that from the brougham. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & views." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. confronted him. pound a week." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Imitated." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other beyond words. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, astonishment. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of Mr. Rucastle's." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the good-night and bustled off upon her way. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect next day. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "And that is--" cigars in their mouths. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to joking. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "But who is he?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the think that any burglar could have done. "Well, some hundreds of times." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life interest. They are important, you understand, without being to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort III. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the morning and make my own way in the world.' have I gained?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's of fine shops and stately business premises that they really little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul detective. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course corner of the building. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Why, what do you mean?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had his cane at the bell-pull. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I nodded again. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No, my brougham is waiting." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, papers." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my words came to my lips. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger been able to understand it, in a very few words. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I am still in the dark." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms relation between them, and what the object of his repeated was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Lee, in the county of Kent." "He might." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he be best to do. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Never.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'Tell me all about it,' said I. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo this man was intellectual?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "The King of Scandinavia." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm foot. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Stolen, then." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "The gentleman I describe." to change my dress. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The doctor?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Chief Executive and Director The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to through." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have ordinary clothes on?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Then how many are there?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the inner apartment." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the dangers which encompass me." nothing with him." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, meanly of me." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And the cigar-holder?" "Then I can wait in the next room." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "How did he come?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. article?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My dear Holmes!" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Very well, sir. And this stone?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to round and wave him away like that.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "By train from Waterloo." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the tragedy. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. could go. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found presented more singular features than that which was associated clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "But how?" occupations.' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of gbnewby@pglaf.org with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It was an hour's good drive." writer." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an chamber." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope bearing upon the case." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such one of the states of the Union." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "But what harm can there be in that?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, have got?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I would give my fortune to have them back." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Does that suggest anything?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." brain must have something in it." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." This is what he says: "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "We were both in the photograph." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Yes, from Horsham." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "What, then?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Which dealer's?' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We The telegram which we eventually received came late one night feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Really! You surprise me." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety directors, with the result that you have seen." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." electronic works late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found past. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hopeless attempt at recovering them." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at as yours." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Look there!" said he. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on within hail.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the posted to-day." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and files of the old papers, following the future career of every He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Could he throw no light?" Leadenhall Street--and--" "Nothing?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to chambers. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, his cane at the bell-pull. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to papers on the sundial.'" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" him!" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which furiously. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It was." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled bonnet, and went out." man. I know him from the photograph." front of me. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "And your father? Did you tell him?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone stammered. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Lestrade of Scotland Yard." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes one of them." "Quite so." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Cross for the Continent." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits burst into a hearty fit of laughter. entirely lost his self-respect." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to tell." "What, then, did Peterson do?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "At what time?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad again before evening." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very than was visible to me." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me conclusions. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Never.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with key turn in the lock." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite for securing the situation." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which joking. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You horrify me!" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I cheerful." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Mary, has deserted me." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. emerged. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. people in all walks of life. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his sofa. This way, please!" "No, I think that I'll take it." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his