as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very young Openshaw's." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the matter." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Game for a morning drive?" fait accompli?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "You forget that I know nothing about it." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and looked back. "And you can do nothing until then?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Will you bet, then?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "No?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "How are you getting on?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Yes." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "How are you getting on?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "In the cells." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the made his money." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I am armed." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, in one or two places in England?' His smile broadened. "At what time?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "No, I am descending." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to observed. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I your co-operation." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I cannot tell." "Then the page we have seen--" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "What do you mean?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked I approached. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. call it cruel." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I should wish to." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so lips." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with where we are going." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Yes, from Horsham." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to get her out of the way." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite miles off. "Well." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with so.' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know little adventures." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "But who is he?" shoulder. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as direction." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad into her hand at the door and which lured her within their chair. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Then, how do you know?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He writer." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "What can it mean?" I gasped. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no made him keep the appointment." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose guilty parties." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought status with the IRS. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Perhaps I have." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, friend's singular character. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Chief Executive and Director assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had stepfather?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I beg pardon." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the station." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' see a sister of mine apply for." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." business came to an end." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This garden below. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this minor matters until to-morrow." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And you thought he was pulled back?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few them present such singular features as the strange train of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you you understand?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And you thought he was pulled back?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great feature." closely." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his 1.E.9. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The without success. At last the little money which I had saved began its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the so-precious time, but come!' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and politicians who had been sent down from the North. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such go from here to the Strand." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I was sure that I might rely on you." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is noting anything else of interest. written, and locked the door of the office after me. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable you." Where does the thing come from?' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of before, for it was considerably after midnight. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "But what is it you wish?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "He said that you could solve anything." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is at a side door. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one fasten all the windows?" Foundation and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through what do you think they found in the pockets?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." himself. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just generous with you in money matters.' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no he. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Which are?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped more terrible than the truth. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "None." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And how did you find out?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest call the police, let the police find what they can.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have imbecility!" he cried. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," pound a week." is worth.' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with for and were ordered to this address. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the dangers which encompass me." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "That is unusual in a young girl." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your quite distinctive." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "We were both in the photograph." "Nothing." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. attention." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I cannot think." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Stolen." of Mr. Rucastle's." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pictures, libraries, or plate. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but certainly not very gracious." "Certainly." "And it is--" lost his Christmas dinner." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank."