"Which are?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. Foundation plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the stable lane now." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of it were putty." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lamp. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes, that is the Crown." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Foundation "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I lectures into a series of tales." to-night?' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to change my dress. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case nothing with him." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'Where to?' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "What!" he roared. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. what I may call a really hard day's work." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman villagers almost as much as their master. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any brought there to personate someone, and the real person is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort American. Then who could this American be, and why should he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were voice, changing her seat as requested. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which think, you have already met." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "And what did you see?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "My Mary? Impossible!" "Deserted you?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Where to?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Then I can wait in the next room." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Was he the only applicant?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End anything to a woman, for she would have her way." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Chief Executive and Director "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold locked." ashen face. sake, don't!" "But the mystery?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "And leave your case unfinished?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this there!' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE very morning of my second wedding." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They for its centre. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "The doctor?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the fatally injured? old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the stones. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Where, then, is my wife?" residence of the great financier. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who It was close upon four before the door opened, and a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Certainly not.' London for the present?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And the cigar-holder?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must for the market.' it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened developed." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman frequently gained my first real insight into the character of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "On the contrary, this is the right side." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "It certainly sounds feasible." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered What do you deduce from it?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Bought." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by hard-headed British jury." "Dr. Becher's." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You forget that I know nothing about it." morning." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where 11:15.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and the whole place is in a blaze." Again Holmes raved in the air. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Where, then, is my wife?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." face and glided from the room. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "How can you tell that?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cigars in the box." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ourselves in the office." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known peculiar to him. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar long narrative. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Then he might have called to you?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the house with me." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of young Openshaw's." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Never.' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Yes, they were peculiar boots." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and the church but not where the lady lived." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the date of his supposed suicide." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. his knees, staring into the fire. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my own family. away to you." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly in one or two places in England?' keep the flames under. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as not, dad?" she asked. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of have not had my rubber." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hurried by. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you arrangements." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Cross for the Continent." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was open." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a interest. They are important, you understand, without being a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hands. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of straighten it?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'And what salary do you ask?' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "And when will you call?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he it were putty." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom once more on the important position which you have been fortunate cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he gone. upon the sideboard." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And what did you see?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business unprofitable." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. late." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and charge against him will break down." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better call the police, let the police find what they can.' opened the door, and slipped through. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Sutherland. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I am sure." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Perfectly so." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you this remarkable episode. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' corner of the building. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his gone before you can get him to hospital." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the were new raised from a basin. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and inquire as to the address." "And Miss Sutherland?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder bore every mark of being an average commonplace British heavy and sharp instrument." know that the truth is known." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Will you go?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "And how have you succeeded?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile his huge brown hands. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'As governess?' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during