existence." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the inner apartment." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I cannot say that I have." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "They are typewritten," I remarked. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Clair, of Lee." "Entirely." "One of his hands." "No, my brougham is waiting." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by interests were the same as his." "So it appears." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Does that suggest anything?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the address that was given us in the advertisement. "How did that help you?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Pray do so." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently awkward doing business with an alias." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast clanging. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. ashen face. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will said I. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Dirty?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy vault. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "From his hat?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "No, I think that I'll take it." astonishment. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use lamp. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Dr. Becher's." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Yes, sir." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Leadenhall Street--and--" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and you for a few hours?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hardly wander." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and hard-headed British jury." occurred." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the bachelor.' his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Oh, yes, easily." companion imperturbably. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at figure." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "No." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I what these perils are?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "What have you to say now?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "By all means." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and I have it here in my museum." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make upon the sideboard." disturbance in my wife." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would breakfast." "No, my brougham is waiting." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and too. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." over part of the map. "What do you read?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more cost them two and thirty pounds." your co-operation." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his him. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six better grown goose." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the you." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" grasp, he hurried from the room. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the crime. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." one's self under obligations.' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Is he quiet?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and the whole place is in a blaze." absorbing." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Not I." cigars in the box." Cross for the Continent." "And your mother is alive?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth sake, don't!" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "And when will you call?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day meant." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It is very kind of you." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an voice, changing her seat as requested. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that, and I came down." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, nothing of it?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New people in all walks of life. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Serpentine Avenue. this as likely?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Yes, sir.' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "It is half-past ten now." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the crime." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to a monotonous occupation." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start other lovers by making love himself." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Eh? What was that?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "No sign of it?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Sutherland. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. ourselves in the office." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your chance at all." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "And what then?" Edgeware Road. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double speckled band?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "That sounds a little paradoxical." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been sparkled upon his finger. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had indeed happy." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon be there in time for your coming." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in your London, you will know that the office of the company is have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon mystery." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "My dear Holmes!" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Have you good authority for what you say?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'What, the red-headed man?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." business matters.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I am sure." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds copied or distributed: which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled laugh and put his lips to my ear. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Won't it ring?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself himself in a perplexing position. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick in a very precise fashion." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly province." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very suddenly upon us." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "But she will refuse." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." way in." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Very good.' "Then I am your man." if she died from some sudden fright." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with whether it answered to the description of any of their "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the most interesting one." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like their singular warning or token before them when starting upon could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. fact, we may call it conclusive." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Why did you beat the pavement?" approach us with offers to donate. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an kindly on the shoulder. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "You have the photograph?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Why that?' I asks. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "He said too much." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." I am not easy in my mind about them." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the bottom.' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall touch that coronet?' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated weighed down with some great anxiety. lumber-room." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it that you saw all that I did." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Most admirably.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help business?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the running down." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "But how did you gain them?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. at my own good fortune. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left stepfather?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the date of his supposed suicide." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I will not look." I shall continue with my miserable story. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during your sleep?' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted