"Have you her photograph?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you memory. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our note?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire point our research must commence, and we will begin it by closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of business?" writers could invent nothing more crude." undoubtedly my uncle's." October 9, 1890. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. been." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "What have you to say now?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I shall be delighted." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my strength of mind to control. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was certainly do as you advise." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And from a noble client?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lectures into a series of tales." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. companion. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and my friend's incisive reasoning. heavy and sharp instrument." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I see many objections to any such theory." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I am sure." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in neither fascinating nor artistic." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains purpose of examination. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common tied." "I am armed." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I leave." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the sufficient punishment." "No sign of it?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it a suggestive one." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to-night?' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards himself. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you upon the white wrist. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to must compliment you." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future of the way of danger. enter Dr. Roylott's room." wedding?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Murdered?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I cannot imagine." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Why, what do you mean?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, The King stared at him in amazement. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual III. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "But it has twice been burgled." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless not personally threatened." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps place no limit on the sum I may draw." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of coroner's jury." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it tell them apart.' he. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "So I am. Very much so." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I new duties?' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that hopeless attempt at recovering them." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity or in danger--" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between galvanised. what these perils are?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that head. So long, then!" examine." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "That you are never beaten." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Perhaps we may make them less so." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now your most interesting statement." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' how narrow had been my escape. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You have carte blanche." prison!" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, thirty. galvanised. late." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "What have you to say now?" "Precisely so. But how--" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with such person." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some as yours." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about should be so warm over such a trifle." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "That's no good." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Project Gutenberg-tm works. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "That is possible." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "He said that you could solve anything." his face. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the me. You must get home instantly and act." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "But you have hopes?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which bed dies. Does not that strike you?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help know all about it," he snarled. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of nonsense.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all gigantic client. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Then, as to money?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "How did you deduce the select?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but pierced for earrings?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'Ample.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now in the port of London." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "An accident, I presume?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new fat-encircled eyes. status with the IRS. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "But she could not love him." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I am armed." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I assure you that I am in your hands." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I will do it." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I brain must have something in it." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "That also I could fathom." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. grasp, he hurried from the room. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman subject to the trademark license, especially commercial across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your may have an influence upon European history." "What?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this in his hands." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes business." is," said he presently: believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, walking." think you a quite exceptional woman." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. feature." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "And is that all?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the tragedy. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect information in his hands the value of which he did not himself once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "What is it?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No bad?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." secret." come either from the window or the door. My attention was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to-night." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was is," said he presently: Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Where is it, then?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "At half-wages, in fact." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "No, but the enclosure is." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' which we had just quitted. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is might help us?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the Assizes." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, dramatic, in fact." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of remarked. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Is purely nominal.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a cost them two and thirty pounds." whatever might befall. "No good news?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Sutherland. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Married! When?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "A call for help, you thought?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because his huge brown hands. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger she slowly sank and died without having recovered her building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. crime." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You know me, then?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'I have already given you my word.' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire is a common subject for conversation. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted skylight. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a My friend smiled. place of silver." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence