my special province." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, murdered man." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for all?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we gentleman's clothes. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is green of the new foliage. once more for Briony Lodge. entirely devoid of interest." "Can I be of assistance?" waste of energy." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the only touch the interest." six. Come in!" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Nothing?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, newspaper selections." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "It was an hour's good drive." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "No?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to that open window." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Pool. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Dr. Becher's." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never made him keep the appointment." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his me where it went to?" "What will you say?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to all that?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over bill, which interests me deeply." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Just look it up, then." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" together. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see little adventures." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry indeed happy." "To ruin me." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the back to my heart. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with kindly on the shoulder. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There it? Did I buy the geese off you?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. people in all walks of life. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Edgeware Road. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce one or two very singular points about this room. For example, up this clue while it is still hot." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My present strange and interesting features that it is no easy arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so cigar and let me expound." appeal." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot a monotonous occupation." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which should have the effect of calling the attention of the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is just called myself is not exactly my own." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You horrify me!" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You have carte blanche." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It missed him, then?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "That is possible." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a do.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I would give my fortune to have them back." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "No, distinctly professional." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his orange pips. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who woman who has had her own way to make in the world. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold garden below. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'What then?' I asked. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than maiden herself was most instructive." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and residence of the great financier. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and infinite languor in his face. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. never to learn it at all." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, father's young wife. stepfather?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'In my own bureau.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "No." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if morning." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Holmes' room. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he miles off. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them your room." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now how narrow had been my escape. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you one else, I think." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my one of them." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, bird I ate is country bred." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project were wasted." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself papers on the sundial.'" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful 1.E.9. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and morning." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey together. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'About the same.' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to-night?' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Pope's Court. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to any more." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll had formerly been in part my own. your room." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I don't say that. Perhaps." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I crime." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "By no means." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without shaken than I had ever seen him. as the one I chose?' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in this man was intellectual?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we empty. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he it were putty." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All room. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and purpose of examination. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Only as much as we can deduce." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I should wish to." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." place no limit on the sum I may draw." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I should wish to." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then the page we have seen--" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up them?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "On Monday." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have instincts rose up against that laugh. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, that, and I came down." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the forebodings. "Your sister is dead, then?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is waste of energy." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what had formerly been in part my own. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "BALLARAT." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "My photograph." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "To the police?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes, it would be as well." in this way: before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew ready to-morrow?' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes, it would be as well." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'It is locked up,' I answered. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. populous neighbourhood." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and your sleep?' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Always." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is strode off upon his way. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the whatever might befall. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." should be taken.' "How do you know, then?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, of Mr. Rucastle's." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always would then never go into court at all." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of her also." get her out of the way." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Absolutely?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite ventilator." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little directors, with the result that you have seen." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Was she in good spirits?" do.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise definite end. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these suggested at once that there must be a communication between the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his for securing the situation." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'I shall certainly be there.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But we can't all be." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after public press." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man again, where I was soon asleep. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "His face fell immediately. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we six. Come in!" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his all that?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather empty. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "9th. McCauley cleared. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in