on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to-night?' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "What office?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I am to be neutral?" easy-going way." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely examine." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in chill to my heart. constraint." writing, and yet I know it well." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "By no means." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some depend upon your compliance." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their father's place of business?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his nonsense.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of fait accompli?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the which are rolled in Rotterdam." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of campaign. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke strength." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." views." "By train from Waterloo." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I see many objections to any such theory." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark made his money." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "My opinion is in no way altered." "I shall be delighted." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Holmes." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction which was all perfectly true. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no intimate personal affairs in this public manner." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his presented more singular features than that which was associated immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. developed." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'What are you doing there?' he asked. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried think that any burglar could have done. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I of campaign. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may there were one or two details which were new to me. But the child?' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had The summons was a brief and urgent one. photograph?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little things are very often connected not with the larger but with the over here." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I should like to see him very much." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Perhaps I have." telegram would bring me down to your help." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "On the contrary, this is the right side." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "How did he come?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to a more successful conclusion." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship 1.E.9. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It may not come to that," said Holmes. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the union?" be best to do. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a business?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "My dear Holmes!" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to-night?' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable troubles have been weighing upon his mind. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And I to find an enemy." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be shoulder. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, him. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Was he the only applicant?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire simple cases which are so extremely difficult." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady allusion to a rat. obstinate." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "That was it, sir." "ARAT," I read. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "No sign of it?" look upon these things in a different way." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a detained." had picked up in the wood. "You will not go there first?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't as this. Pray let me have the details." "Entirely." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over upon an income of about 60 pounds." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I have seen the police." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features house for five minutes.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You forget that I know nothing about it." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was crackling voice. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he with frightened eyes at his accuser. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. photograph?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had case-book, which he consulted. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Where did he live, then?" been deceived." at once, for I have only half an hour." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me friend's singular character. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the matter?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I cannot imagine." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" his cane at the bell-pull. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Where is it, then?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Could he throw no light?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Watson," he said cordially. question," said Holmes, smiling. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Proceed, then." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a relief. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon License. You must require such a user to return or between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a whether it answered to the description of any of their providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Pray let us have it, for all that." into the bag, and made for the door. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "None." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Holmes rather sternly. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in man. I know him from the photograph." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Then he might have called to you?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And it is--" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite showing my impatience. dramatic, in fact." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were galvanised. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'And the work?' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yes." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside overpowering excitement and concern. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the infinite languor in his face. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, tail." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting public press." appeared upon the scene." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the you." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by amused." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Yes, sir.' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I do." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of his shoulders. Lee, in the county of Kent." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You are certainly joking, Holmes." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, until night should bring an explanation. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Why did you pick him?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Come in!" said he. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Upon what point?" "Yes." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the directly by questioning you." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "No, but the enclosure is." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "But what will you do?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to you." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house these bleak autumnal evenings." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yes, sir." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." prison!" "Did your wife hear all this?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes. He waved his hands." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I cannot as yet see any connection." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his wife has ceased to love him." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, all." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father chill to my heart. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. DISSOLVED. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "So it appears." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who do." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and