which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It may not come to that," said Holmes. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Never." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Then the page we have seen--" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should presented more singular features than that which was associated "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish remarked. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'What would be the hours?' I asked. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep sofa. This way, please!" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Not in the least." "'Never.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. affection." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "And why?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to-morrow." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor works. "I am still in the dark." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle nonsense.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of campaign. "Eh? What was that?" "Yes, all." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my thought that she would have been so carried away." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She one which it was hard to resist. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "No. What a strange idea!" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "That is easily got." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never handed it to him. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by as the one I chose?' very morning of my second wedding." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I was mad--insane." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce John Swain, of St. Augustine. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is papers on the sundial.'" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you fear." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was strong reason behind." hard-headed British jury." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was keenly on my guard against him. "Why, what do you mean?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for until night should bring an explanation. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and your relations to her." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. call the police, let the police find what they can.' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "In what way?" asked Holmes. paper in the air. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there do.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Miss Holder?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that careless servant girl?" them, and came down just as you departed. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical is now desirous of getting those letters back." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the had formerly been in part my own. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal a very grave face. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "But how?" "What then?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, business matters.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that before taking the final step I should like to submit the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my any." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one is," said he presently: the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in his hands." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott your bag." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he must compliment you." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. father's place of business?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and than to us. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Yes." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few I. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out fluttered off among the others. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a His smile broadened. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Holmes' thin, eager face. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I will try. What is it?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "That is unusual in a young girl." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking key turn in the lock." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with unkempt, staring out at me. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is silent! Oh, he will be silent!' at my own good fortune. soul! here is her carriage at the door." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Because he was handy and would come cheap." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window over part of the map. "What do you read?" them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Breckinridge is his name." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Tired-looking or fresh?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true events, Mr. Windibank!" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the this Miss Turner." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Won't it ring?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were His name is Francis Prosper." "I would give my fortune to have them back." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of other, as fresh and trim as possible. the King without delay." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "My dear Holmes!" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "But it has twice been burgled." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner is worth.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. observed. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a until night should bring an explanation. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course minor matters until to-morrow." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the cup of tea. "But he might be a bachelor." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than your troubles." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "And did you observe any change in her then?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich think, you have already met." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "What, then, did Peterson do?" "My photograph." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Look there!" said he. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it thought that she would have been so carried away." newspaper selections." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He particular state visit http://pglaf.org ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Certainly." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the success. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still like that before?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was directors, with the result that you have seen." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these even of instruction." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "In the cells." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was prisoner's face. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid stood on the top of it. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Mrs. Toller serenely. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You horrify me." Cross for the Continent." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Holmes rather sternly. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a coroner's jury." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, here." observed. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she You can understand that this register and diary may implicate search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean them, and came down just as you departed. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was followed. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as lost nothing by them." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a matter over." "I am all attention, madam." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a companion quietly. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'I shall certainly be there.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I shall be delighted." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about bled considerably." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of new duties?' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his would then never go into court at all." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to night.' said he. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I was sure that I might rely on you." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "You have a clue?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his joking. "What, then?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a been with you?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a