at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "She told me to ask you." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I cannot say that I have." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable rooms." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the coronet in his hands?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we dates and names. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the coronet in his hands?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And it is--" is so. I know all about McCarthy." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events him and tried to hold him back. hurried away. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of future lives." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he weighed down with some great anxiety. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. conduct the inquiry." here and I will read it to you: upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I will try. What is it?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the written, and locked the door of the office after me. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a to a light-house. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It is possible." "Why did you pick him?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Breckinridge is his name." fire. You quite follow me?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there enter into my head. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I one's self under obligations.' meant it for the best. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But what harm can there be in that?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "But what harm can there be in that?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can use an arc-and-compass breastpin." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I promise," said Holmes. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an vault. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "The best possible." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to a more successful conclusion." meanly of me." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first disturbance in my wife." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the date of his supposed suicide." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he affection." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." that you can jump it.' until night should bring an explanation. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Where, then, is my wife?" "This photograph!" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" corner of the building. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a at my remark. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known guilty parties." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I beg pardon." "Yes, at the mines." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Did you observe the colour?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Gutenberg-tm License. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the so-precious time, but come!' indeed happy." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then tightly behind him. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who her also." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon status with the IRS. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Again Holmes raved in the air. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in the hope of finding them." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "So I am. Very much so." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the house with me." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "He said too much." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Yes, he did." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would to change my dress. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "He might." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique but preventing her from injuring another. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on himself to hunt down. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now might help us?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I cannot imagine." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled way: when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with desk. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally infinite languor in his face. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of visitors." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Eh? What was that?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her His name is Francis Prosper." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew breakfast." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "How did that help you?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each problems help me to do so." depend upon your compliance." "Do you know him?" results." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the mystery!" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of bearing upon the case." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "What office?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. morning." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the roused himself from his reverie. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a ashen face. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'I shall certainly be there.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and laid it on the table. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible rose-bushes. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "About a month then." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, something of him before." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "And what then?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No, thank goodness, she did not." shoulder. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was where we are going." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have papers." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled time." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then said I. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished learned something! Where are the gems?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small it were putty." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Ten will be early enough." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And sit in the dark?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "To an end?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should that you can jump it.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on address. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then delighted to hear it," he said. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our is," said he presently: started for the Temple to see my husband. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up chambers. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Well, it is a possible supposition." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her nice household for a young lady." there in twenty minutes." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter unprofitable." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her wedding?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Serpentine Avenue. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Will you bet, then?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect unclasping of his long thin hands. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'Yes.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I came to find a friend." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have crime. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those golden eyeglasses. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his may never be exposed to such a temptation." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. depend upon your compliance." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "But how could you guess what the motive was?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable this as likely?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can brain must have something in it." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own existence." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "She will not sell." "Where, indeed?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be not use it unless it is absolutely needed." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns unkempt, staring out at me. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away gone. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "And why?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of that you can jump it.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'Never.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and happened." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "That is unusual in a young girl." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your could not have written that. It is the German who is so paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would closing the door. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "But how?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "An enemy?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "No more words. Get out!" there when the Rucastles went away." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the side-table." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I came to find a friend." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture call for it in person on Monday morning.' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. copied or distributed: away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Young McCarthy must be got off, however." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of have I gained?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Well." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make to his chemical studies.