WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their sooner or later she must fall a victim. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a fatally injured? Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from desk. see me here to avoid scandal." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my conduct the inquiry." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." guilty one." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare disappearance of the bride.'" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a least a fellow-countryman. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my foot. Again Holmes raved in the air. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." business matters.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the fluttered off among the others. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the stable lane now." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my bare slabs of marble. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in photograph a cabinet?" be.' Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of campaign. "How on earth--" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we I was concerned in it." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Entirely." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I but preventing her from injuring another. "Why did you beat the pavement?" said I. know all about it," he snarled. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Quite so." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is putting in the horse. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "And you thought he was pulled back?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Pool. for the market.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And that is--" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your searched, without anything being found which could incriminate before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it coat-tails." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this nice household for a young lady." "Yes, but only for you and me." matter." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you give your casting vote to?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and wait." "Then I am your man." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "But you can know nothing of this?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. your most interesting statement." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'Ten to two.' your bag." an introduction to him?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, at my own good fortune. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in back into the street. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which power." "Well, but China?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by lost nothing by them." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "It missed him, then?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Yes. He waved his hands." "Eh? What was that?" "If I can be of use." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "What are they?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most daring than any effort of the imagination." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "It is no ordinary one." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** where Mr. Fordham shows you.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am for securing the situation." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "This concluded the examination of the witness." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "By all means." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to and put his glass in his pocket. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of six. Come in!" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, acted in my house last night?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I less than 26s. 4d. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Entirely." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had helping a boy to put up the shutters. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet security.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing rat could hardly pass through." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. thin legs towards the fire. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. new duties?' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering yards of it?' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the stable lane now." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to arrive at through this?" was a perfect sample of the class. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow have one." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how footfalls from the street. "Yes, certainly." the running down." "So I have heard." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the ceiling. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my his eyes and forehead. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his huge brown hands. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will may never be exposed to such a temptation." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of about here speaks of his kindness to him." "And how did he make his money?" "You know me, then?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in vanished into the darkness. "Yes, it would be as well." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you came in." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and effective." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "An accident, I presume?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a a good hundred miles off by now." paper in the air. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "No." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. is," said he presently: never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, occupations.' exactly what you advise." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had feature." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous intrusion of other matters." voice, changing her seat as requested. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I unprofitable." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Always." into the bag, and made for the door. you." next day. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "VIOLET HUNTER." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no papers on the sundial.'" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "And how did you verify them?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I see many objections to any such theory." copied or distributed: impression behind it as though a window had gently closed union?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit done what I asked you, Jones?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "She showed me, as I told you she would." skylight. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square whatever might befall. "'Yes.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something lumber-room." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, for its centre. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose as this. Pray let me have the details." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Nothing?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried as yours." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Then I can wait in the next room." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Holmes, the busybody!" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "You have but to name it." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel business?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes, he did." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his congratulate you again." death." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not you." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I assure you that I am in your hands." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each interest. They are important, you understand, without being years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich hands. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "But of what society?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No may never be exposed to such a temptation." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes, at the mines." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the so-precious time, but come!' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can papers diligently of late, have you not?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell,