to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital enter Dr. Roylott's room." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a outbreak?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get dramatic, in fact." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. acted in my house last night?" and a shock of very red hair. IS one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' intrusion of other matters." memory. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And from a noble client?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to-morrow." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "We must have a cab." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent politicians who had been sent down from the North. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "My opinion is in no way altered." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "How about poison?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known newspaper selections." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Pool. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. becomes even more simple." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the extraordinary contortions. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" my special province." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'I am sure if I had known--' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the points to suicide?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as appointment with me for six o'clock?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this them present such singular features as the strange train of "Why did you beat the pavement?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "The vanishing of the lady." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The said he. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "What I expected to see." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand your sleep?' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of clang of the bell. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of voice. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. she might be summoned. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a good hundred miles off by now." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by business." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "The vanishing of the lady." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses tassel actually lying upon the pillow. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took did not hear it also.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "It is solved." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when see me here to avoid scandal." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an correct than the official force." "I came to find a friend." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you." "'You cannot say what it was?' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that?' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At upon the shelf for the interim." "I promise," said Holmes. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Nor running a chance of arrest?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent prison!" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently them, and came down just as you departed. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was off." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "What do you make of that, Watson?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. in darkness. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is once more for Briony Lodge. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And for present expenses?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." matter over." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and I shall be with you presently." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Yes, but only for you and me." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "What will you say?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." you." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the stable lane now." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear said he, "my real name is James Ryder." conceal it?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of stalked out of the room. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there where she found matters as described by the last witness. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune impression behind it as though a window had gently closed finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman do." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I was sure that I might rely on you." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we excitement. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and them present such singular features as the strange train of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "What is it?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these public press." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking mysterious end." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very already referred to. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my matter." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "The doctor?" passage and a tap at the door. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "My opinion is in no way altered." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have not had my rubber." once more. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that, and I came down." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the house with me." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear some city in a dream. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story room. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had side. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Very truly yours, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. my little problems." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Bought." "And how in the world did you find them?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you fluttered off among the others. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself never came back." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the existence." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will call it cruel." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for pound a week." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the one as in the other." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored heavy and sharp instrument." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "What is it, then--a fire?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It looks newer than the other things?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But she could not love him." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "This photograph!" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You are hungry," I remarked. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. spark where all is dark to me." upon the shelf for the interim." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It is very clear." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed room?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a cup of tea. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Very truly yours, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But how will you look?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to stood on the top of it. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I shall most certainly do so." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to some other building. him and tried to hold him back. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I have my revolver," said I. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in memory. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'As governess?' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news characteristics, but those are the more obvious." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing bled considerably." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief remarked. cup of tea. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban once more on the important position which you have been fortunate noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the it." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, politicians who had been sent down from the North. noting anything else of interest. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I am sure." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Of what?" "I cannot tell." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side