moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Game for a morning drive?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now notes," he said. house for five minutes.' any." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the Red-headed League." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "How did he come?" "Quite so." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' your Highness to the police-station?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his begun to whiten, even as mine has." "And leave your case unfinished?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat new acquaintance to Baker Street. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a from the brougham. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. him, that man would not have given me such complete information this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Was your sister dressed?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "By no means." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a them present such singular features as the strange train of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" both be extremely obliged.' you." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was lame." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies foresight and the moral retrogression?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "No, my brougham is waiting." "None." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared girl said." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an indeed happy." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I cannot as yet see any connection." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Then, as to money?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" your bag." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my into the bag, and made for the door. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to him, that man would not have given me such complete information "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, asked. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the certainly do as you advise." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Entirely." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Cross for the Continent." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the is," said he presently: the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I ago." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and my little problems." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Ah!" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "What are they?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards it right.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, visitors." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Not at all. I only doubt--' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" bird of prey. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was there was no need for father to know." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before means taking possession of that which another person has a prior we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the coronet at all injured?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." out." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my questioning and rather startled gaze. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your coat-tails." Holmes rather sternly. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an photograph a cabinet?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of amused." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. present." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. asked with his eyes open. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. individual and becomes the badge of a society." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached entirely devoid of interest." "By no means." was used.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, friends, not even his own brother. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Nearly eleven." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, lamp in his hand. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you them, and came down just as you departed. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing so.' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'And the work?' "So I have heard." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was some water from a caraffe. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall outside. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the had died away into the silence from which it rose. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight following enigmatical notices: her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and them present such singular features as the strange train of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And that is--" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My could not account in any way for the presence of the missing which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "What! You do not mean bodies?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door IS however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "What can it mean?" I gasped. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "But your client--" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him discontent upon his features. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they could gather together that I was able to avert another public as the one I chose?' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to go into your room and bar your shutters?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question lids now and glanced across at his visitor. seen the man in the road." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "You have a clue?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' them?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is burst out into a roar of laughter. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the gigantic client. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to followed. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's him nearly every evening." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt ways of our fellow-men." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me had this final quarrel? to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in forehead. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make colour had been driven from his face. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and as yours." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "To an end?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this returning from some small jollification and was making his way outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "It missed him, then?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have been better. It is all right." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn he died? Eyford at 11:15.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. been deceived." strength." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yes, only one." felt the room to be a little close.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four James Windibank. Voilà tout!" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet again on its way. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and before the coroner and the police-court." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "No bad?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the you want, then?' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him your co-operation." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Again Holmes raved in the air. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the head. So long, then!" as he folded up the epistle. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. out of this horrible affair." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Of what day?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many tell me that you intended to go into harness." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as behind me. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three upon the shelf for the interim."