indeed which he could not unravel. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes, there are nearly always some there." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Oh, no.' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it You can understand that this register and diary may implicate away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy forebodings. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote at home. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and morning." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no mystery may be cleared along those lines." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, could go. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hand, madam?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no careless servant girl?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Game for a morning drive?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four residence of the great financier. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Oh, yes, easily." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Proceed, then." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as row." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend disappearance of these gems?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" to surprise her." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I cannot tell." "It is possible." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and capable of preserving a secret.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in will be renamed. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking too. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined will not take me long to tell. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." mystery may be cleared along those lines." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "BALLARAT." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It is possible." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save happened." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Well, but China?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the prisoner's face. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Eyford." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features more solid." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in this way: breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Then I can wait in the next room." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united questionable one." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Perfectly so." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all against a man in the prime of life?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Yes." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "But you were on a friendly footing?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to pictures, libraries, or plate. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between 11:15.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever companion quietly. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he horse could go." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Street. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "You are all wrong." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. rose-bushes. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he mystery." man. "It is a murder, then?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have established a very serious case against the son of the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "This concluded the examination of the witness." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are for its centre. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, of the way of danger. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Never." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and make me his representative both with the servants and with the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest me." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that future lives." suddenly upon us." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be advice." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" could go. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on sneer upon his pale face. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes, it would be as well." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very was lame." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "How about poison?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' experiences." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out she used." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. His name is Francis Prosper." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "What I expected to see." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "But of what society?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter memory. companion. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up she used." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making some city in a dream. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of." orange pips. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he persecution?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "But she will refuse." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Miss Holder?" "VIOLET HUNTER." not come at once?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, where she found matters as described by the last witness. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "What do you mean?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Very truly yours, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Heh?' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not jewels which you have stolen?' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So directors, with the result that you have seen." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and article?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Can I be of assistance?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The summons was a brief and urgent one. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of receipt of the work. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Doctor, of the paper and the date." eavesdroppers?' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be extraordinary contortions. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but in the hope of finding them." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "A confidential servant?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the stones. woman." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the address that was given us in the advertisement. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and when you have done it." to that open window." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if towards the blaze. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Nothing." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Certainly, madam." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Is he quiet?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, chill to my heart. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And that is--" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the dangers which encompass me." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." papers." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just shadow pass over his face as I spoke. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Never to return." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it which we had just quitted. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most wife's character?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Your presence might be invaluable." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What can you not understand?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I never have." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his works. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in are, I think, all that we need." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Have you her photograph?" woven round him. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Come in!" said he. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which brain must have something in it." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'And the work?' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into something of him before." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That could gather together that I was able to avert another public as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in one or two places in England?' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about fatally injured? were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the