and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so once more to my work. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources that he has suffered." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, relief. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and files of the old papers, following the future career of every anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never wall." grasp, he hurried from the room. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you me have 200 pounds?' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Oh, yes, easily." to tell." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And you don't know his address?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same my former friend and companion. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "That is possible." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as crackling voice. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is father's young wife. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "The knees of his trousers." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining late!' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would more solid." "It is half-past ten now." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied note?" digesting their breakfasts at home." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And who is her maid?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'What do you call purely nominal?' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think sneer upon his pale face. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "My dear Holmes!" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'I have already given you my word.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, disturbance in my wife." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "No?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "But the mystery?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I am following you closely," I answered. Literary Archive Foundation at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, occurred." was not a bird to be seen there. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Heh?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Not I." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He it." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "And I to find an enemy." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that he will be back before evening." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in hour?' straighten it?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue rooms." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stammered. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always speckled band?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "But how?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." there when the Rucastles went away." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of the one which your family is now devouring." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. paper in the air. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in are windows in it, of course?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon weighed down with some great anxiety. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the nursery. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Oh, yes, easily." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the girl said." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which both be extremely obliged.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the house with me." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "And how did you verify them?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of shaken than I had ever seen him. I nodded to show that I had heard. there when the Rucastles went away." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. This is what he says: shall use the carriage to-night." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for key of the affair now." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand as he remarks, very much against the son." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," figure." crime. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." is worth.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts States. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he walking." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his points in connection with it which never have been, and probably behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when tassel actually lying upon the pillow. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His strength." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I was certainly surprised to find you there." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "It is true that I have been generally successful." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to have been novel and of interest." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'Yes, sir.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who with you alone." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the your own bird, so if you wish--" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were occupations.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and following enigmatical notices: evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' I think that I could be of assistance to you." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "What is it?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but know what is wrong with it.' convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Well?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Why, it's a dummy," said he. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Thank you. And your address?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the figure." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Her father is very rich?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Now, then, what's the last entry?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' room. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to-morrow." really the only notable feature about the thing." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is be there in time for your coming." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for hurried by. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Frequently." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "It is his hat." was a perfect sample of the class. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I never have." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "To ruin me." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused union?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You are certainly joking, Holmes." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind congratulate you again." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. certainly not very gracious." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the for and were ordered to this address. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying was not a bird to be seen there. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. showing my impatience. photograph?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that again." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I don't believe it." "You have carte blanche." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You if she died from some sudden fright." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Yes, it would be as well." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of receipt of the work. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next must compliment you." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Yes." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Yes?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Well, but China?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be absorbing." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "On your arm?" about. tightly behind him. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "At what time?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you?' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that disturbance in my wife." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Not him." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Never." "My private note-paper." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Her father is very rich?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "That is easily got." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. get the tickets." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass