were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, might have a private word with us. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the station." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Why? What do you mean?" gone. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Here?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater off." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of fishes. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "My last client of the sort was a king." "May I see it?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I will do it." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It mystery." in my life." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight quite distinctive." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I you, my dear young lady?' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'About the same.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Does that suggest anything?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I am armed." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "But I am all in the dark." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "None." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he like gravel from a pit.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I cannot think." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Is he quiet?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Well, some hundreds of times." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my ashen face. noble correspondent could be. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place dates and names. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from laugh and put his lips to my ear. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Get out!" said he. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." allusion to a rat. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." burst out into a roar of laughter. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. II. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Certainly." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Was she in good spirits?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a you?' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "No." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid knowledge of the world." My friend smiled. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action never came back." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has this man was intellectual?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what foot. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It some mystery and the punishment of some crime." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from gone. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." father's place of business?" I shall continue with my miserable story. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. been deceived." "I cannot imagine." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was late." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. paper in the air. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "We must sit without light. He would see it through the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Where to?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "He is dead," cried several voices. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and maid will bring up your coffee." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "You are hungry," I remarked. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Was your sister dressed?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "None." be.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'I have already given you my word.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." were wasted." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its disappearance of the bride.'" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Eh? What was that?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "And who is her maid?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I beg pardon." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up fear." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter row." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as as yours." manager. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, even of instruction." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "What shall I do?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of rat could hardly pass through." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I was sure that I might rely on you." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is I held the little printed slip to the light. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "What do you mean?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in second." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I was mad--insane." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Ha! you find it so?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the bed, and you in that chair." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever outside." fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes, sir." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the bare slabs of marble. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'I have already given you my word.' in the hope of finding them." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." companion quietly. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Surrey." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut it." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "What then?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "To an English lawyer named Norton." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the held up the lantern and gazed about him. said he. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Have you good authority for what you say?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of him!" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email residence of the great financier. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Never.' scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "No, I am descending." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss crackling voice. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And how did he make his money?" "'I have heard so.' British peeress.'" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Get out!" said he. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Certainly." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as have accepted such a situation. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Then the page we have seen--" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "But you were on a friendly footing?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a without a word or a look. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with he bowed and left the room without another word. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just my room." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in attention." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "That is it on the dressing-table." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." face and glided from the room. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened information in his hands the value of which he did not himself importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." happened." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment maiden herself was most instructive." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with house for five minutes.' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been must be when I saw the door open.' Watson," he said cordially. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Then you may entirely rely on me." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Deserted you?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And why?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go later, upon the night of May 2nd." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. figure." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, call you and give you the chance." spark where all is dark to me." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his my special province." tightly behind him. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I approached. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor chemical work which was so dear to him. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to never came back." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and allusion to a rat. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. thirty. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice for its centre. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might