making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You saw the ventilator, too?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting father's young wife. giving me time to thank him. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Certainly, madam." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that strength in the others." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the morning and make my own way in the world.' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "And help." there in twenty minutes." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." unclasping of his long thin hands. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been you in your example." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Yes. He waved his hands." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Nothing." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "But your client--" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small papers must be those that are destroyed.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "What then?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was interests were the same as his." "'Yes, sir.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done second window is the one that I jumped from." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'And the work?' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "It is very kind of you." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I should like to see him very much." was not a bird to be seen there. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. against a man in the prime of life?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sneer upon his pale face. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." During two years I have had three consultations and one small association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Sutherland?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. did not hear it also.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an you." business?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Yes." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and files of the old papers, following the future career of every experiences." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and nothing with him." "Here?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "But the mystery?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." hand, madam?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Street. "What do you mean?" neither fascinating nor artistic." License. You must require such a user to return or was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'I have already given you my word.' By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what situation." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy emerged. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." you do it in twenty minutes!' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "On the contrary, this is the right side." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without main points of my analysis." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally despaired of." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor residence of the great financier. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the bed, and you in that chair." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The King of Scandinavia." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Witness: I must still refuse. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will noting anything else of interest. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes, at the mines." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." of this gang." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted you." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking know what is wrong with it.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying guilty parties." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said man. I know him from the photograph." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And for present expenses?" it." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's soul! here is her carriage at the door." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and entirely lost his self-respect." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the Red-headed League." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some acquaintance?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the iron safe, which he closed upon it. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at someone who had been in Australia." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to weighed down with some great anxiety. "Certainly, madam." Count Von Kramm." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. legal crime." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was reach." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "You have but to name it." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "What will you say?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Really! You surprise me." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian writer." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From humiliation." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with bled considerably." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" suddenly upon us." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it bill, which interests me deeply." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Ten will be early enough." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "What, then?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the inquest, and which are worth considering." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not hair?' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from delighted to hear it," he said. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. we went to search for him, face downward in a little ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been remarked. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are front of the hall door has given its name to the place. himself to tell his story. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes, only one." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." fear." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'I am sure that I do not know.' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It was an hour's good drive." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately made his money." any more." the one as in the other." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "You will not go there first?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Indeed! Whose, then?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Where did he live, then?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of the vacancies.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I was afraid that you were engaged." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Has he come with you to-night?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Serpentine Avenue. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the driver. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I was concerned in it." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Has he come with you to-night?" have one." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of this gang." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in this note: quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who signal between you and your father? window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "An enemy?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I don't believe it." "It looks newer than the other things?" "I see many objections to any such theory." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my it right.' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his forehead." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "And how in the world did you find them?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had been shamefully used." character. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "It is very clear." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right foresight and the moral retrogression?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free kind enough to tell me what I should do." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "That is possible." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "A confidential servant?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked was used.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that I may have something better before very many minutes are twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black anything to do with the matter?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "And who is her maid?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an weapon." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Foundation He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Ten to two.' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "What can you not understand?" DAMAGE. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "In answer to an advertisement." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "What steps will you take?" I asked. think that any burglar could have done.