said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet was shining brightly. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to direction." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "So I am. Very much so." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to go into your room and bar your shutters?" are, and they are waiting for us." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, digesting their breakfasts at home." amused." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Yes, sir.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you is entirely a question of barometric pressure." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this room had already been engaged for us. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when tightly behind him. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Did he not advertise?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of chance at all." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice be sorry for having acted so harshly." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for sound at heart." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking at my remark. "And it is--" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO straightened it out again. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ in a friendly supper." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Ah, but I was recommended to you." hair?' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "But not more so than I to find you." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope interests were the same as his." companion quietly. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the address that was given us in the advertisement. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old coat-tails." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Sutherland. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'Very good.' photograph a cabinet?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, good-night and bustled off upon her way. one which it was hard to resist. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in this Miss Turner." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "A confidential servant?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry call it cruel." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the salesman. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent without a word or a look. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Surrey." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. During two years I have had three consultations and one small possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' eat it." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its politicians who had been sent down from the North. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes, sir." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Where, then?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of." outside. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. unkempt, staring out at me. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the driver. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are II. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Very good.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. with you alone." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little meant it for the best. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll humiliation." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to a light-house. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is will not take me long to tell. "Yes, the wine-cellar." indiscretion." both be extremely obliged.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Not in the least." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "We have tried and failed." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair already referred to. "You have a clue?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And how did he make his money?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then strength in the others." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "The gentleman I describe." in the port of London." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may made his money." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, outside. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black your co-operation." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "You forget that I know nothing about it." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "But I am all in the dark." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to maid will bring up your coffee." chance at all." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front until night should bring an explanation. friend's singular character. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and a shock of very red hair. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You know me, then?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "What then?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice detective. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Pope's Court. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Holmes, the busybody!" "It came here." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did DISSOLVED. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I think it very unlikely." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "It's nothing of the kind." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would drove away. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I guessed as much." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. maid will bring up your coffee." me upon any point which I do not make clear." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you out." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and have this put in the evening papers." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to a room. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to Leatherhead. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were down. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were desk. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective woven round him. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "And why?" the bottom.' "Not him." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Then, as to money?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. spare." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right you for a few hours?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between tell him that I know him to be innocent." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face then?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." never to learn it at all." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And Miss Sutherland?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Yes, it would be as well." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Dr. Becher's." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "What of the rat, then?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great is," said he presently: however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But she will refuse." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the inner apartment." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." for the market.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the keep the flames under. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "None." lips." his face which made him a very different person to the round, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that you wished to speak to me?' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a stepfather?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "So I have heard." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. habit of advancing money.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "No bad?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did your room." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a salesman. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian