drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Have you good authority for what you say?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you for a few hours?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It was." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought rooms." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the jewels which you have stolen?' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You least a fellow-countryman. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It missed him, then?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours prepare for the new role I have to play." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "If I can be of use." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must politicians who had been sent down from the North. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Yes, all." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. soul! here is her carriage at the door." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I cannot think." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the daring than any effort of the imagination." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I undoubtedly my uncle's." hand, madam?" "An accident, I presume?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small these bleak autumnal evenings." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I am armed." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You have a clue?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had forehead. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Ten will be early enough." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the morning and make my own way in the world.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have recover the gem." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you past. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "But we can't all be." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I was concerned in it." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself several quiet little villages up there." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I indiscretion." noting anything else of interest. do.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and derbies." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common my secret was safe in his possession. States. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an already referred to. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and had formerly been in part my own. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary minor matters until to-morrow." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman man. the bottom.' "What is it?" and glanced through. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to evidence," I remarked. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such gone. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which I shall communicate with you." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Not particularly." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "It is very kind of you." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Then the page we have seen--" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a my little problems." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them ill-usage at the hands of fortune. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can even so self-evident a thing as that." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was my friend's incisive reasoning. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter details should find their way into the papers. Inspector man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady despair." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to his chemical studies. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the written, and locked the door of the office after me. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before absorbing." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had which was all perfectly true. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the new duties?' visitors." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the coronet in his hands?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "None." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight politicians who had been sent down from the North. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "What then?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among crime. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "None." little trying to do so much typewriting?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. business in the City. She little knew what. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found beyond words. "What I expected to see." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had this final quarrel? much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "How do you know, then?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "The vanishing of the lady." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and that he would see to anything that turned up. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Mrs. Toller serenely. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. you?" "And leave your case unfinished?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'And the work?' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. him. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her fishes. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair papers on the sundial.'" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted murdered man." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being not personally threatened." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "He slept on the premises." late!' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." man. I know him from the photograph." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that legal crime." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. leave you to your papers for a little." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" it with his own hands." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the giving me time to thank him. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp wedding?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our mystery!" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of III. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "You horrify me!" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into States. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one papers." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "There is the writing." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "How did he come?" disappearance of these gems?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and sufficient punishment." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their there has been an enclosure here!" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and your relations to her." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his my friend's incisive reasoning. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its will he say when he returns?" stalked out of the room. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Mary, has deserted me." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "And how did he make his money?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out asked with his eyes open. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened down. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley row." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." in his power. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom instituted." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Was he the only applicant?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fat-encircled eyes. works. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the date of his supposed suicide." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange thirty. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. this Miss Turner." go--none." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, late!' "And from a noble client?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers."