the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in this note: It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Dirty?" "Perfectly so." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'What do you call purely nominal?' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of business at Coburg Square is serious." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. one which it was hard to resist. details." "My dear Holmes!" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and unprofitable." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. murdered man." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "How did you trace it, then?" feature." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to redistribution. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at plantation.' or other trace. But how on earth--" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Pray let us have it, for all that." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Is he quiet?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the armchair which I pushed forward for him. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and questioning and rather startled gaze. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "By train from Waterloo." "An enemy?" know that the truth is known." miles off. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own my little problems." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, are, I think, all that we need." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the was a lad." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my discontent upon his features. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he fuss that is made over them." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "And how in the world did you find them?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey more solid." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "If I can be of use." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "None." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Sutherland?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Why, it's a dummy," said he. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, danger is over." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in that I can to serve you." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it head. So long, then!" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever said Mr. Holder. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It back alive. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most The police have openly confessed that they can at present make have not had my rubber." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small respectable self." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white himself to hunt down. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his It may be so in this case, also." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we here." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out jewels which you have stolen?' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "If so, much may have happened between." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, burst out into a roar of laughter. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of be.' eat it." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Never to return." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Not particularly." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in where she found matters as described by the last witness. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which 1.E.9. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he question," said Holmes, smiling. "And leave your case unfinished?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work his cane at the bell-pull. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the to affect your life." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they fasten all the windows?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And now?" I asked. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and see a sister of mine apply for." strength." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest footfalls from the street. lamp. ceremony." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "That is possible." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and I shall be with you presently." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' to affect your life." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It must be recovered." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss danger is over." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to outside." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the over with notes and figures. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dramatic, in fact." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "And how?" to tackle the facts." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the bird I ate is country bred." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the upon the white wrist. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open annoyance, but no jest. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'I shall certainly be there.' and all of them with the keenest interest. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "It is no ordinary one." "I was afraid that you were engaged." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of where we are going." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his I nodded again. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come placed his cuttings. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with maid will bring up your coffee." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that bled considerably." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun of the one which your family is now devouring." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that?' your room." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters plantation.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I am sure." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it always that they were such commands as a lady might with I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman back to my heart. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Was the window open?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I have solved it." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." placed his cuttings. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "One of the highest in England." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I never have." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a affair. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few McCarthy." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "And from a noble client?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Doctor, of the paper and the date." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Well, but China?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of the way of danger. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should breakfast." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And why?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Will you bet, then?" bearing upon the case." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "None." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, forebodings. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Ample.' respectable self." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start man. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the hour." "Dr. Becher's." as noiselessly as she had come. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' back alive. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "10th. John Swain cleared. correct than the official force." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate directly by questioning you." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been families. Now for the facts. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You are all wrong." foot. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to forecastle of an emigrant ship. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some go back?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the quick march!" the inner apartment." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to himself in a perplexing position. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. gentleman's clothes. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the so-precious time, but come!' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had fear." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Get out!" said he. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "If so, much may have happened between." "What! a murderous attack?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the call it cruel." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Oh, no.' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the so-precious time, but come!' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I What do you deduce from it?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into suddenly upon us." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a not as remarkable as your advertisement." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "The best possible." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "What is it?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by you for a few hours?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" as the one I chose?' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "That is easily got." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare habit of advancing money.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I will try. What is it?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I do." "Then I can wait in the next room." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What!" he roared. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'And the work?' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." never to learn it at all." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of fait accompli?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest should be taken.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and