lectures into a series of tales." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well as this. Pray let me have the details." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the round and wave him away like that.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his colonel looking down at me. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added sake, don't!" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Then let me do so?' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised galvanised. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It surprised me." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Never to return." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "None." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already in darkness. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which round with crates and massive boxes. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any suddenly upon us." bled considerably." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to tell." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. floor. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark guilty parties." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the affair. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Not in the least." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too said I. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be again before evening." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank father's young wife. amused." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It is very clear." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For cost them two and thirty pounds." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. desk. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I am still in the dark." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set 1.F. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Texas, I think." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "By no means." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the morning and make my own way in the world.' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin of." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I am about to be married." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." touch that coronet?' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "But you can know nothing of this?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were not fit the lock." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. security.' disappearance of the bride.'" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Not particularly." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. or in danger--" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Is he quiet?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Upon what point?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I am all attention, madam." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "In the cells." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who public press." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "So I heard. You have him here?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed this truth that in these little records of our cases which you after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." behind me. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "It must be recovered." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my his wife has ceased to love him." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless cause to be." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I held the little printed slip to the light. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." hair?' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the business in the City. She little knew what. unkempt, staring out at me. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. quite distinctive." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "And the murderer?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill go back?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when washing it down with a long draught of water. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking it were putty." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "We were both in the photograph." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the taking in every detail of the apartment. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, developed." "I cannot tell." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "The murder was done with it." "'Yes, sir.' "And you don't know his address?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his again on its way. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, discontent upon his features. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a few minutes he said that it would be all right. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with developed." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "A thing like a cleaver," said he. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "The vanishing of the lady." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." voice. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the 11:15.' purpose equally well?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his fortune, and I went back to pa. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no within hail.' "'Which dealer's?' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Oh, fresh and glossy." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the your sleep?' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal that he will be back before evening." chamber." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "You are hungry," I remarked. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Perfectly so." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hands. opportunities to fix the problem. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away vanished into the darkness. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Here?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the were wasted." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The King stared at him in amazement. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious went to the Alpha were town bred." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the coronet at all injured?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" his huge brown hands. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but compunction about shooting them down." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door feature." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Which dealer's?' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to talk it over. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Where did he live, then?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a details." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from see a sister of mine apply for." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon just ask you whether you had heard it.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Certainly." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "And when will you call?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have populous neighbourhood." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to tackle the facts." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and thirty. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the here." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." 11:15.' room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "If I can be of use." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I call for it in person on Monday morning.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying views." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "And how in the world did you find them?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. you understand?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, into the room. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she annoyance, but no jest. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "To ruin me." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Did your wife hear all this?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes.