considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no that I may have something better before very many minutes are fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, My friend smiled. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one carried out of court." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot lost his Christmas dinner." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door on re-entering her father's house?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. call the police, let the police find what they can.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Certainly." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the warnings." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away how narrow had been my escape. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And how have you succeeded?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows him." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well wanted for ourselves." "I guessed as much." the dangers which encompass me." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Nothing." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," you came in." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I cannot as yet see any connection." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am *** START: FULL LICENSE *** upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of the one which your family is now devouring." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious it? Did I buy the geese off you?" bachelor.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her introspective fashion. fuss that is made over them." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "My photograph." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of his shoulders. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to change my dress. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I three of the beryls in it, was missing. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards his huge brown hands. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in his power. you for a few hours?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'Where to?' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "The knees of his trousers." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a writers could invent nothing more crude." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some following enigmatical notices: column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" figure." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'Certainly not. But why?' was shining brightly. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to them, and came down just as you departed. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country interests were the same as his." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that any little problem which you may submit to me." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands meanly of me." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed goes." "Did your wife hear all this?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the of the one which your family is now devouring." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's as he remarks, very much against the son." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the anything to do with the matter?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of the way of danger. writers could invent nothing more crude." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Why did you pick him?" never will be, entirely cleared up. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and cheerful." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "What! You do not mean bodies?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She entirely devoid of interest." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Clair, of Lee." "At half-wages, in fact." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Not yet." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the DISSOLVED. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at populous neighbourhood." be best to do. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it investigation." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Yes." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood maid will bring up your coffee." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I think it very unlikely." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." 11:15.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I cannot tell." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray absorbing." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And who is her maid?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest in. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Well?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I cannot tell." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "It must be recovered." "Thank you. Pray proceed." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but strong and stiff." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Yes." door?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which least a fellow-countryman. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. wedding?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately tied." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson fear." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then do.' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." could not have written that. It is the German who is so of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and see me here to avoid scandal." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me our word." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "You are all wrong." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Come in!" said he. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its retorted upon me, and I on you." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'Certainly not. But why?' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to a light-house. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "It came here." "It's nothing of the kind." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "And I to find an enemy." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Where could I find him?' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Project Gutenberg-tm works. spare." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect be.' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I approached. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Then you may be so with me." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and License. You must require such a user to return or "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand upon the white wrist. have not had my rubber." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "It is possible." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. gone before you can get him to hospital." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the bare slabs of marble. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Clair, of Lee." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly strength." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as people don't know." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not that threaten you." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No, distinctly professional." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, society." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was client, rising. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "In which, sir?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the stammered. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy tell him that I know him to be innocent." answered with a sidelong glance. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and indiscretion." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "None. Neville wrote those words." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "An accident, I presume?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece stammered. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass tightly behind him. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Bought." "Never to return." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left recover the gem." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a corner of the building. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The from you?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir present." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its think, you have already met." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new outsides of the windows. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his were unconscious?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Certainly." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to IS continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't to tell." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "And I to find an enemy." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her me have 200 pounds?' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up definite end. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for friends, not even his own brother. said he. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if good for you to do.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just looking up at the numbers of the houses." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows mysterious end." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned door?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "He might." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of me upon any point which I do not make clear." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding that you can jump it.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid