what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Pray tell us what has happened to you." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I will get her to show me." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And did you observe any change in her then?" words came to my lips. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to morning." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. chair. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'How far from the body?' "I say that I have solved it." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' not personally threatened." weighed down with some great anxiety. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Deserted you?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at husband's writing, madam." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of Mr. Rucastle's." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? 11:15.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an do.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his towards the blaze. lumber-room." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I meant it for the best. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "His face fell immediately. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the photograph?" head. So long, then!" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since be there in time for your coming." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the sake, don't!" minor matters until to-morrow." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "But what harm can there be in that?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were The events in question occurred in the early days of my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a weary and pale-looking. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just DAMAGE. "'Quite sure, dad.' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "What! a murderous attack?" "From his hat?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Never to return." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to-morrow." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with someone who had been in Australia." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the very morning of the wedding." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, the cause is excellent!" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself even so self-evident a thing as that." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "But I am all in the dark." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Well, it is a possible supposition." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I assure you that I am in your hands." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during prison!" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a his forehead." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It certainly sounds feasible." "Is he quiet?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in placed his cuttings. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. hair?' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Where, then, is my wife?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hereditary King of Bohemia." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew past. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a monotonous occupation." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood more solid." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the approach us with offers to donate. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my ceremony." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Could he throw no light?" was it brought him the coronet? as the one I chose?' round and wave him away like that.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Did you become engaged then?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly visitors." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey is worth.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "The Cedars?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "The King of Scandinavia." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that you wished to speak to me?' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I this unhappy family?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and have this put in the evening papers." "'Entirely.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "And what then?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Yes." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our friends, not even his own brother. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand noble correspondent could be. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is him, that man would not have given me such complete information than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "In answer to an advertisement." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the was a perfect sample of the class. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the window, rose as we entered. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about from you?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had whole matter to your consideration." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new your Highness to the police-station?" "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of detective. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "How on earth--" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New than to us. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of side. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the charged with?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from this as likely?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "What will you say?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "He is still with you, I presume?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I highly," said Holmes. matter." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." second window is the one that I jumped from." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily papers." the coronet in his hand?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I think that it is very probable." "To the police?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," secret." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Certainly, madam." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect which it had come upon my father." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some lids now and glanced across at his visitor. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that three of the beryls in it, was missing. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Dark enough and sinister enough." questionable one." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and inquire as to the address." fled together." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. before the coroner and the police-court." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet attention." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened for its centre. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" said he. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I don't believe it." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we following enigmatical notices: James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "But of what society?" "And you don't know his address?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It looks newer than the other things?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. chamber." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up foot. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'What then?' I asked. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. murdered man." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. advice." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Most admirably.' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into character. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled during that time.' "No, distinctly professional." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "There is the writing." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see a good hundred miles off by now." "'Where to?' matter." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What I expected to see." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City It may be so in this case, also." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of made his money." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, had a long day." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which