"As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a drove away. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The tightly behind him. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It certainly sounds feasible." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against relation between them, and what the object of his repeated may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the second window is the one that I jumped from." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you coroner's jury." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but unclasping of his long thin hands. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my hand, madam?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "We have tried and failed." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could you?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to kindly on the shoulder. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "But we can't all be." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "The vanishing of the lady." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Yes, sir.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford lumber-room." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "In the cells." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Most admirably.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, official police." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the bottom.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Tell me all about it,' said I. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Where to?' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Will you bet, then?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Only as much as we can deduce." notes," he said. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see allusion to a rat. should be so warm over such a trifle." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to your Highness to the police-station?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Were they all fastened this morning?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that threaten you." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did other means.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "On Monday." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Won't it ring?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "You'll never persuade me to believe that." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I know where it is." constraint." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the here and I will read it to you: "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. chance at all." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I I nodded again. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you The summons was a brief and urgent one. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Certainly, madam." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "That's no good." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "So I heard. You have him here?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with such person." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Holmes' room. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, rat could hardly pass through." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was happened." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been ourselves in the office." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Two days later this same performance was gone through under which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lamp in his hand. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I promise," said Holmes. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I know where it is." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great rooms." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of a light. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." said he. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, late!' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. has little to do with my story." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a new duties?' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin business at Coburg Square is serious." "Seven!" I answered. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I will try. What is it?" populous neighbourhood." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes humiliation." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "ARAT," I read. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Have you good authority for what you say?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "They are typewritten," I remarked. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Only as much as we can deduce." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And Miss Sutherland?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm presented which may be striking and bizarre without being that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to soul! here is her carriage at the door." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to in a very precise fashion." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am down. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle The King stared at him in amazement. guilty one." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Texas, I think." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I unkempt, staring out at me. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the to-night?' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle during that time.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most some place of shelter and let the county police know what has said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with me upon any point which I do not make clear." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white served to weaken the effect. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it prepare for the new role I have to play." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, whatever might befall. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Holmes rather sternly. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him disappearance of these gems?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." know all about it," he snarled. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I ventilator." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Perhaps I have." October 9, 1890. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "My stepfather's business papers." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk both be extremely obliged.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Yes, sir." writer." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems me what he had done with the three missing stones. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Countess of Morcar's?" "Yes, it would be as well." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I him to go away.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and the whole place is in a blaze." the nursery. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the definite end. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Pool. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "And now?" I asked. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of 1.E.9. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "The decline of his fortunes, then?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project of Mr. Rucastle's." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You think that he is dead?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who became a certainty. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Certainly." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the carpenter." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. what these perils are?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather felt?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley