"Precisely." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Holmes' thin, eager face. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "He might." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, o'clock is it?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can had no one to advise her at such a crisis." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he appeared upon the scene." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite simple cases which are so extremely difficult." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have long narrative. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "And why?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very depend upon your compliance." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has security.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It is his hat." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot During two years I have had three consultations and one small back into the street. "'And the work?' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "What then?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most spare." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" taking in every detail of the apartment. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Yesterday." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one James Windibank. Voilà tout!" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at remarked. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly way: was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after becomes even more simple." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until did not hear it also.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Did your wife hear all this?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were enter into my head. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and inquire as to the address." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." as he folded up the epistle. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be 'I should be able to look after that for you.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 What do you deduce from it?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming standing smiling on the door-step. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her colonel looking down at me. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself rose-bushes. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that opportunities to fix the problem. him." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! my secret was safe in his possession. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the running down." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I despaired of." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "She walked into the breakfast-room." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is his hat." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hurried by. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had upon the sideboard." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty his face. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I crackling voice. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I you." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our think that he is innocent?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, a good hundred miles off by now." ways of our fellow-men." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Ha! you find it so?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'As governess?' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers beg that you will break it off." out." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and fattened it expressly for you.' a room. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the coronet at all injured?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend could gather together that I was able to avert another public II. him nearly every evening." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "What?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. from you?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly get her out of the way." key turn in the lock." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And I say east," said my patient. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to despair." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the in him." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone acquaintance?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four do.' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness footfalls from the street. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. annoyance, but no jest. "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. knowledge of the world." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that room?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "How did you deduce the select?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Well, but China?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, a good hundred miles off by now." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Count Von Kramm." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and populous neighbourhood." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, happened." "It is no ordinary one." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. over with notes and figures. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Why did you pick him?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Yes, only one." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing at my remark. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "No legal papers or certificates?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I see many objections to any such theory." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Miss Holder?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'Yes, I promise.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his rooms." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, was a loud and authoritative tap. the tragedy. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes, only one." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two yet." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "And your mother is alive?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged new duties?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper noble correspondent could be. shall not find me ungrateful." "Yes, he did." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of campaign. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the bare slabs of marble. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know head. So long, then!" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "The Cedars?" "Look there!" said he. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I have solved it." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Oh, yes, easily." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I nodded again. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Will you bet, then?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I nice household for a young lady." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "That also I could fathom." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of would apply.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Never,' said I. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows notes," he said. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And the cigar-holder?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Get out!" said he. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when not interfere, come what may. You understand?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "But it has twice been burgled." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as cigars in their mouths. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "It is half-past ten now." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as