controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Pray continue your narrative." guilty one." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a enter into my head. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an joking. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of were wasted." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. case before our client came into the room." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Edgeware Road. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my leave you to your papers for a little." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I cannot imagine." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared following enigmatical notices: through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Certainly." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your little trying to do so much typewriting?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small upon the white wrist. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to one of the states of the Union." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way what I may call a really hard day's work." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that written, and locked the door of the office after me. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me know that the truth is known." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I will do it." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke carriage. It was a chestnut." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come absorbing." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to talk it over. emerged. appeal." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew back alive. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You have but to name it." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father down. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he key of the affair now." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard brandy and water within his reach. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "And I." Holmes." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his may have an influence upon European history." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Where did he live, then?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'In my own bureau.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, front of me. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, His smile broadened. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a in this note: "'Why that?' I asks. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I am sure." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. business." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is see a sister of mine apply for." with you?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady present." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on certainly not very gracious." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy in the hope of finding them." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Precisely so. But how--" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," astonishment. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Literary Archive Foundation at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I was concerned in it." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally enter into my head. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which was all perfectly true. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" bachelor.' a room. becomes even more simple." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. assist you in forming an opinion." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin giving me time to thank him. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Sutherland. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of galvanised. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one you." morning." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save bled considerably." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and derbies." acquaintance?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It is possible." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has towards the blaze. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping thin, with a long, sharp nose?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my I nodded to show that I had heard. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of them has the shutters up.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy shaken than I had ever seen him. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have one." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Game for a morning drive?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Yes, it was twisted." "What can you not understand?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of paper in the air. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" been deceived." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the bachelor.' "The murder was done with it." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and status with the IRS. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place British peeress.'" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. least a fellow-countryman. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Street. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must were unconscious?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'Oh, no.' hour?' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very families. Now for the facts. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the ordinary clothes on?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from ourselves in the office." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "That's no good." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my colonel looking down at me. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Yes, sir.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the upon the white wrist. the nursery. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the house with me." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to have that photograph." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You have compromised yourself seriously." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "But she could not love him." "Precisely." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by prepare for the new role I have to play." "And I say east," said my patient. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Proceed, then." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and the church but not where the lady lived." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already enter into my head. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to himself in a perplexing position. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. business." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "You know me, then?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was that you can jump it.' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "None." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you looking up at the numbers of the houses." a room. chemical work which was so dear to him. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal looking up at the numbers of the houses." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." voice. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the stable lane now." "'Stolen!' he cried. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards garden below. "It missed him, then?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting him. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'And the work?' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Which dealer's?' have I gained?" that he has suffered." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" one of them." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and a shock of very red hair. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for ashen face. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that think you a quite exceptional woman." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left people don't know." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, strength in the others." said I. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my him and tried to hold him back. "In the cells." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' occupations.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious room?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I know where it is." stammered. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle,