of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "My dear Holmes!" "I see many objections to any such theory." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the spark where all is dark to me." "My dear Holmes!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a strength." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Certainly." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," bachelor.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and the colonel ushered me in. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left upon the white wrist. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sake, don't!" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "It looks newer than the other things?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. hardly wander." assist you in forming an opinion." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There sofa. This way, please!" them present such singular features as the strange train of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door house for five minutes.' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And how did he make his money?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took DISSOLVED. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of until night should bring an explanation. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, public press." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "The knees of his trousers." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger you give your casting vote to?" "You are hungry," I remarked. said he. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and mystery!" against a man in the prime of life?" security.' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several any." "No legal papers or certificates?" "'In my own bureau.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Holmes' thin, eager face. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" reach." go from here to the Strand." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a joking. past. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At back into the street. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Street. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men a good hundred miles off by now." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Mrs. Toller serenely. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That business matters.' learned something! Where are the gems?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "The murder was done with it." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there forbidden door. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured His smile broadened. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to go into your room and bar your shutters?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "And your mother is alive?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from round with crates and massive boxes. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest tell them apart.' Serpentine Avenue. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside o'clock is it?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "And did you observe any change in her then?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most entirely devoid of interest." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, learned something! Where are the gems?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And how in the world did you find them?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Very. But will he see it?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Yes, there are nearly always some there." have an American origin." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' round with crates and massive boxes. "And how?" never will be, entirely cleared up. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring main points of my analysis." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "We were both in the photograph." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a them?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "How do you know, then?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we introspective fashion. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the tell them apart.' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes, sir." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two very peculiar words of the dying woman?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I was feeling which was the fattest.' depend upon your compliance." late." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Only as much as we can deduce." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was matter." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hardly wander." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. money should be paid at once.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a generous with you in money matters.' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to maid will bring up your coffee." lamp in his hand. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Yes." Holmes' thin, eager face. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have think that he is innocent?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Then I am your man." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who McCarthy." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Not in a good cause." highly," said Holmes. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "What, then, did Peterson do?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some your bag." "I am still in the dark." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the window when the police appeared." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I think that it is very probable." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the to some other building. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always hour?' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the I am not easy in my mind about them." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Entirely." strong reason behind." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax even so self-evident a thing as that." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation footfalls from the street. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "BALLARAT." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old question you as to those details which seem to me to be most me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the your co-operation." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months works. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one awkward doing business with an alias." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." prisoner's face. waste of energy." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland off." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what notes," he said. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I think that I could be of assistance to you." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in brandy and water within his reach. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Imitated." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me own family. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Dark enough and sinister enough." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his written. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it open." daring than any effort of the imagination." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Oh, the cause is excellent!" there in twenty minutes." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that status with the IRS. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. chambers. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have asked. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All laugh and put his lips to my ear. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dead, shall be safe with us." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an little adventures." directors, with the result that you have seen." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the inner apartment." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "But how?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "It came here." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to a light-house. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I cannot imagine." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all beyond words. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, despaired of." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I am about to be married." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He chair. "It is a murder, then?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck