and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some it. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "And how in the world did you find them?" memory. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors his knees, staring into the fire. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is clanging. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as man. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "You don't mind breaking the law?" your troubles." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Well, some hundreds of times." crackling voice. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was heavy and sharp instrument." closing the door. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the armchair which I pushed forward for him. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to have that photograph." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Leadenhall Street--and--" "'And the work?' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes The telegram which we eventually received came late one night seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that very old mansion. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, society." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the me upon any point which I do not make clear." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which into the bag, and made for the door. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of receipt of the work. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." minor matters until to-morrow." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "May I see it?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain young Openshaw's." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the south-west, I see." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. papers diligently of late, have you not?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; way: postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day mystery." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "What do you make of that, Watson?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting think that any burglar could have done. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "So I heard. You have him here?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. voice, changing her seat as requested. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "What is it, then--a fire?" "And your mother is alive?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless highroad, where all traces were lost. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It was." was keenly on my guard against him. "Nothing?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes, sir." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes through." "I should be immensely obliged to you." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which suggested at once that there must be a communication between the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "She walked into the breakfast-room." "No?" into the room. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "An accident, I presume?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a presented more singular features than that which was associated Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is you give your casting vote to?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" if I call to-morrow?" deduce something from that?" was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "What!" he roared. your only hope of safety." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear bears upon the case?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his light and attacked it." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." there has been an enclosure here!" "You forget that I know nothing about it." did not hear it also.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" matter." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from late." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. British peeress.'" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Ample." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'I have already given you my word.' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the one as in the other." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You did not overhear what they said?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the loss of it. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" hardly wander." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which approach us with offers to donate. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send gentleman's clothes. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt meant it for the best. "'I have heard so.' "None." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Imitated." "He is dead," cried several voices. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I prepare for the new role I have to play." "How are you getting on?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She depend upon your compliance." kind enough to tell me what I should do." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed with the outside air!" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "What!" he roared. "You saw the ventilator, too?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary investigation." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. that I can to serve you." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "He might." "Murdered?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Where to?' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had have an American origin." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "About a month then." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either fact, we may call it conclusive." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative business?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. help us in this matter." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that, and I came down." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the would apply.' again on its way. "Look there!" said he. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can I approached. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we you." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable forehead. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may is worth.' "Witness: I must still refuse. look dissatisfied." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "He said too much." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. desk. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it that he will be back before evening." upon the white wrist. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "We must have a cab." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was questionable one." occurred." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, paper in the air. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I see no marks." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that asked with his eyes open. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black possible that we could bring him back to her? without a word or a look. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "But he might be a bachelor." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was always that they were such commands as a lady might with building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the stones. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the other lovers by making love himself." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "May I see it?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Not particularly." "The King of Scandinavia." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." intrusion of other matters." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "That you are never beaten." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all American. Then who could this American be, and why should he alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Eh? What was that?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his have one." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to like that before?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "No sign of it?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." gentleman's clothes. John Swain, of St. Augustine. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that I can to serve you." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away at my remark. "And that is--" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "What?" stammered. "'Yes, sir.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Yes, the wine-cellar." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as his cane at the bell-pull. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten even of instruction." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You horrify me!" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to arrive at through this?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the morning and make my own way in the world.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the side-table." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms look dissatisfied." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa was a lad." ago." went to the Alpha were town bred." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between which should have the effect of calling the attention of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I I have it here in my museum." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your you." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, corner of the building. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable annoyance, but no jest. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the morning." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not geese which you supplied to the Alpha." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the October 9, 1890. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was excitement. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between