this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven his face. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. minor matters until to-morrow." "It is solved." "It must be recovered." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in details should find their way into the papers. Inspector wedding?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Holmes, the busybody!" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. as yours." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the address that was given us in the advertisement. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I think that it is very probable." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will even of instruction." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "When did she vanish, then?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ourselves in the office." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the golden eyeglasses. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And what then?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Which dealer's?' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is investigation." is a common subject for conversation. you do it in twenty minutes!' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Very much so." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was it right.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is a murder, then?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I fear not." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I tell me that you intended to go into harness." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the very morning of the wedding." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "You forget that I know nothing about it." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," again on its way. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, yards of it?' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in this way: himself to tell his story. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" himself in a perplexing position. instituted." acted in my house last night?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to up this clue while it is still hot." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of receipt of the work. nice household for a young lady." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "And on what day did he meet his death?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was knowledge of the world." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." him and tried to hold him back. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you do it in twenty minutes!' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" article?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be said he at last. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to me. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps villagers almost as much as their master. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It certainly sounds feasible." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send point in the dark hollow of his hand. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the had a long day." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very gigantic client. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Perhaps I have." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "My opinion is in no way altered." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think sneer upon his pale face. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, weary and pale-looking. Street. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'And the work?' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." go--none." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who where she found matters as described by the last witness. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and files of the old papers, following the future career of every are windows in it, of course?" "He said that you could solve anything." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." there in twenty minutes." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." legal crime." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my case before our client came into the room." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest sneer upon his pale face. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him problems help me to do so." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "But of what society?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "You think that he is dead?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of evidence," I remarked. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the coronet in his hands?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to question," said Holmes, smiling. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, security.' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Perhaps I have." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'I am sure if I had known--' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from house for five minutes.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public maiden herself was most instructive." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the legal crime." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the coat-tails." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "What then?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I am sure." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as weapon." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was did not hear it also.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Indeed! Whose, then?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. soul! here is her carriage at the door." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "How did you deduce the select?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "No, but the enclosure is." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and wait." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I death." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Yes?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I nodded again. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Certainly." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed direction." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'What, the red-headed man?' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full your equipment. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at matters immensely." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a in darkness. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You have carte blanche." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on disturbance in my wife." little adventures." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Stolen." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Very good.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might said he. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell front of me. "Then the page we have seen--" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached trying to your nerves." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "No, distinctly professional." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore vanished into the darkness. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Your presence might be invaluable." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were gigantic client. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You were travelling in the States?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view get the tickets." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free woman who has had her own way to make in the world. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a good hundred miles off by now." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to surprise her." trifles." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "And help." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Then I do not see the point." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "What of the rat, then?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Yes." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Why did you pick him?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the stable lane now." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. just called myself is not exactly my own." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the place of silver." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "No. What a strange idea!" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and there when the Rucastles went away." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Tell me all about it,' said I. throat." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to