sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I should like to see him very much." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "No, distinctly professional." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And what did you see?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own face and glided from the room. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the very old mansion. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." waste of energy." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I will, Miss Turner." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in tail." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hopeless attempt at recovering them." "How did you trace it, then?" His name is Francis Prosper." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate conceal it?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, back to my heart. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and invisible to me," I remarked. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the warnings." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "An enemy?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large questionable one." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to nonsense.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. in the port of London." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been them, and came down just as you departed. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in the port of London." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." spark where all is dark to me." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Certainly,' I answered. sooner or later she must fall a victim. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'There is a drive, then?' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "He disappeared so suddenly." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Chief Executive and Director "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I cannot tell." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which know that the truth is known." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" became a certainty. "When did it break out?" "It is a murder, then?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "It certainly sounds feasible." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? nonsense.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with suddenly upon us." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening note?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." legal crime." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without I am not easy in my mind about them." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than are windows in it, of course?" Eyford." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be own family. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been sparkled upon his finger. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, there in twenty minutes." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Were they all fastened this morning?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Street. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, trying to your nerves." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but closing the door. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you envelope. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question conduct the inquiry." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of key of the affair now." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I see many objections to any such theory." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall that he has suffered." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was like gravel from a pit.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a your co-operation." "No, my brougham is waiting." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper bedroom door." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Bought." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon waste of energy." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call few hundred pounds.' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And now?" He raised his hand. "It is possible." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "It may not come to that," said Holmes. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he jewels which you have stolen?' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and a shock of very red hair. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was house for five minutes.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I don't believe it." people in all walks of life. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "No sign of it?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert advice." Eyford." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, had this final quarrel? and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, papers diligently of late, have you not?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the me what he had done with the three missing stones. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding side. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the presented more singular features than that which was associated 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a strong and stiff." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It is a murder, then?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hand, madam?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the for the market.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner an introduction to him?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid been with you?" His smile broadened. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Ample.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I was afraid that you were engaged." call you and give you the chance." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Yes, that is the Crown." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'Never.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in one or two places in England?' furiously. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who grasp, he hurried from the room. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw unprofitable." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came really the only notable feature about the thing." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And I to find an enemy." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should interests were the same as his." persecution?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Not particularly." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun at my remark. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Yes." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate o'clock is it?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Chief Executive and Director himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I with you alone." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove me. You must get home instantly and act." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure sneer upon his pale face. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not suggested at once that there must be a communication between the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came is," said he presently: a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, despair." "Frequently." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman of campaign. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could I leave." Watson," he said cordially. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to-night's adventure." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that arrested. You then--" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for presume?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You are all wrong." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. brandy and water within his reach. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Then, how do you know?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Certainly." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It certainly sounds feasible." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "We must have a cab." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' highly," said Holmes. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense made his money." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the King without delay." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "So I am. Very much so." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up unkempt, staring out at me. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round you?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" there has been an enclosure here!" upon an income of about 60 pounds." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came bears upon the case?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of a light. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "And how did he make his money?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is very kind of you." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. my former friend and companion. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little