was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Not particularly." you." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "No more words. Get out!" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Why that?' I asks. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." made his money." occupations.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the to-night?" I asked. this unhappy family?" "We must have a cab." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." not as remarkable as your advertisement." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business that he has suffered." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a case before our client came into the room." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into been able to understand it, in a very few words. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "When did she vanish, then?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it his fortune, and I went back to pa. followed. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Certainly,' I answered. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "So it appears." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Perhaps I have." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I will do it." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan golden eyeglasses. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "She told me to ask you." morning." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "His face fell immediately. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted companion quietly. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. fait accompli?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my confronted him. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And why?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. went to the Alpha were town bred." said I. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to miss it." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of burst out into a roar of laughter. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian hand, madam?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "This photograph!" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took use an arc-and-compass breastpin." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the murdered man." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had because she had spent so short a time in this country that she floor. "No, I am descending." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the one as in the other." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he train.' "Absolutely none." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. to a light-house. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum occupations.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, whether it answered to the description of any of their by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, strength." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Then, as to money?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." approach us with offers to donate. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Farm upon the left." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that them present such singular features as the strange train of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me be best to do. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me comes from the middle window." waste of energy." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence chair. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would rose-bushes. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a noting anything else of interest. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in upon the sideboard." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. unclasping of his long thin hands. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which coat-tails." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But not more so than I to find you." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the keep the flames under. it means?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It is half-past ten now." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left you in your example." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on The telegram which we eventually received came late one night meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "And I." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was But Holmes shook his head gravely. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door will he say when he returns?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "About a month then." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Do you receive much company?" he asked. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my window when the police appeared." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of words came to my lips. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very you do it in twenty minutes!' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "There is the writing." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Has he come with you to-night?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. other, as fresh and trim as possible. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "What are they?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "But you were on a friendly footing?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Breckinridge is his name." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Will you bet, then?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It is to him that this trophy belongs." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Never." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "He said that you could solve anything." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "We have tried and failed." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot means taking possession of that which another person has a prior applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the skylight. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "And it is--" once more to my work. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, despaired of." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He been." breakfast." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. correct than the official force." like gravel from a pit.' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he you in yours." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Where did he live, then?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and became a certainty. "Yes, all." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of address. "Upon what point?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to tell." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Yes.' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He slept on the premises." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at it? Did I buy the geese off you?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "But it has twice been burgled." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond have established a very serious case against the son of the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." sound at heart." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "It came here." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "From his hat?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Leadenhall Street--and--" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them shall not find me ungrateful." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the depend upon your compliance." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Of what day?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I you." "You have compromised yourself seriously." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, good-night and bustled off upon her way. been shamefully used." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "And for present expenses?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "And Miss Sutherland?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, brandy and water within his reach. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Not at all. I only doubt--' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his wall." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yes, all." "But the mystery?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high upon the white wrist. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Where did he live, then?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew swore that no one else had been in the front room during the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and shoulder; "he's all right." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. you give your casting vote to?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the