necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My out." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "That sounds a little paradoxical." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of returned to France?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that I can to serve you." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it cigars in their mouths. have accepted such a situation. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of be.' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, meant it for the best. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "On the contrary, this is the right side." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from my secret was safe in his possession. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "ARAT," I read. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking chance at all." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I strength in the others." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'Ten to two.' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hurried away. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come over part of the map. "What do you read?" call you and give you the chance." business at Coburg Square is serious." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to tackle the facts." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have I gained?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple new duties?' "Precisely." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord His name is Francis Prosper." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of chance at all." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One had a long day." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the very morning of my second wedding." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him States. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "You horrify me." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a chemical work which was so dear to him. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Whose house is it?" to talk it over. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Why did you pick him?" present." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Mrs. Toller serenely. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "But who is he?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Holmes. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned bed dies. Does not that strike you?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his bedroom door." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fishes. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we His name is Francis Prosper." "The Cedars?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the feature." Mary, has deserted me." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. look upon these things in a different way." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to surprise her." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all remarked. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "No." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened galvanised. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, signal between you and your father? upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the inner apartment." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first father's young wife. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted asked with his eyes open. cost them two and thirty pounds." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and a shock of very red hair. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Quite so." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. invisible to me," I remarked. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise clang of the bell. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. details." that there was nothing in it, after all." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted bears upon the case?" that you wished to speak to me?' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever there when the Rucastles went away." should be taken.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Witness: I must still refuse. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I do." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Oh, yes, easily." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. look dissatisfied." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night night.' said he. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" father's place of business?" "I would pay ten." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, weapon." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting straighten it?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." be. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of it with the greatest attention. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the little opening for the ventilator is." feature." go from here to the Strand." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "No sign of it?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and when your master had gone out." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it me have 200 pounds?' not personally threatened." hand, madam?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Why that?' I asks. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Never.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with entirely devoid of interest." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Very truly yours, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and which was all perfectly true. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave had formerly been in part my own. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Stoke Moran?" said he. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, appeared upon the scene." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the disappearance of the bride.'" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. way in." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. miles off. "Yes." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Ample." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Dr. Gregory B. Newby transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a drawing your inferences." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the orange pips. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the friend's singular character. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by figure." "Yes, sir." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." McCarthy's innocence. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his London for the present?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk shadow pass over his face as I spoke. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet whatever might befall. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You think so, too?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said said Mr. Holder. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "My opinion is in no way altered." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has shoulder; "he's all right." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat me. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "The Cedars?" companion imperturbably. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to washing it down with a long draught of water. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "In the cells." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be as noiselessly as she had come. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue walking." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known money should be paid at once.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then, how do you know?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. beyond words. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be you." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer astonishment. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked both be extremely obliged.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is colonel looking down at me. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr.