person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of your billet.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. copied or distributed: informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking interests were the same as his." "Was your sister dressed?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. case-book, which he consulted. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, unkempt, staring out at me. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But she will refuse." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'What would be the hours?' I asked. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the loss of it. unprofitable." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." bled considerably." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her pictures, libraries, or plate. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Could he throw no light?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which weapon." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off that I am arrested." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting October 9, 1890. back into the street. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns compunction about shooting them down." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "About a month then." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But how?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring extraordinary contortions. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it feature." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, vanished into the darkness. This is what he says: her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of your bag." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was strength." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "By train from Waterloo." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of campaign. is so. I know all about McCarthy." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a populous neighbourhood." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Yes." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. one's self under obligations.' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is correct than the official force." to that open window." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All chance." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I am about to be married." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Heh?' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. stepfather?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'In my own bureau.' "What I expected to see." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' tear off another piece?' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is discontent upon his features. the room while you explain this matter?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." key turn in the lock." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late were new raised from a basin. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Perhaps we may make them less so." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted because she had spent so short a time in this country that she resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Well, but China?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged brandy and water within his reach. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Game for a morning drive?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and are, and they are waiting for us." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I am all attention, madam." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of the way of danger. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly one which it was hard to resist. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "And how have you succeeded?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did habit of advancing money.' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "The best possible." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment or other trace. But how on earth--" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Then, as to money?" is," said he presently: "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "The landlord of the Alpha." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "But who is he?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." evidence," I remarked. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I cannot think." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, in his power. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, what is your own theory as to what took place?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and the church but not where the lady lived." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Stolen, then." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of even so self-evident a thing as that." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "My private note-paper." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Gutenberg-tm License. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you gentleman's clothes. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull photograph a cabinet?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I should like to see him very much." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on infinite languor in his face. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few so far?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." have not had my rubber." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just during which he might have communicated with his friend the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been at a side door. upon a handsome competence. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "No, my brougham is waiting." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "In answer to an advertisement." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "That is not always so easy." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she been shamefully used." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I promise," said Holmes. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning chambers. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked time." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again stammered. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the carried out of court." "So I am. Very much so." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of girl said." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the extraordinary contortions. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have kindly on the shoulder. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I answered that I had not. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the you." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. generous with you in money matters.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," as this. Pray let me have the details." lost his Christmas dinner." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do light and attacked it." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "It is solved." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through of Mr. Rucastle's." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of a light. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "No?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake mysterious business." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have your only hope of safety." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." writers could invent nothing more crude." of your young ladies.' any." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But purpose of examination. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can cost them two and thirty pounds." "When did it break out?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at into the room. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the child." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she business came to an end." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, which our visitor detailed to us. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Clair, of Lee." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria nice household for a young lady." had formerly been in part my own. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "It is no ordinary one." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "And help." "How about poison?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble as he folded up the epistle. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did she to prove their authenticity?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a 1.F. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp forebodings. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was know all about it," he snarled. leaning back in his chair. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'You cannot say what it was?' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock shall not find me ungrateful." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Never to return." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "If I can be of use." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said sit on the left-hand side of the driver." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Could he throw no light?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection yet." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Then I shall certainly come." photograph?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "And you don't know his address?" "A greater distance to travel." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was already answered. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Count Von Kramm." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Leadenhall Street--and--" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may child?' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Sutherland. "Her father is very rich?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt your most interesting statement." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst