us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "But she could not love him." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Where is it, then?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "About a month then." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Which dealer's?' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." License. You must require such a user to return or roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "It certainly sounds feasible." returned to France?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I a suggestive one." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "That's no good." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar sofa. This way, please!" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had empty. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining over part of the map. "What do you read?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Oh, no.' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of Mr. Rucastle's." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife pound a week." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a fishes. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after assist you in forming an opinion." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "What!" he roared. is acting for the best. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite wedding?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' people in all walks of life. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush place, I think that there is good ground to think that the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small invisible to me," I remarked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "He might." make me his representative both with the servants and with the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his thirty. "My own seal." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, said he. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "But you can know nothing of this?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the hands. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are impression behind it as though a window had gently closed frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Do you go out much in society?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to them, and came down just as you departed. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Of Friday, June 19th." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "The decline of his fortunes, then?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End kindly on the shoulder. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the all-comprehensive glances. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and maiden herself was most instructive." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. get her out of the way." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "One of his hands." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and laid it on the table. so.' over with notes and figures. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier row." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "My private note-paper." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said away to you." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "It is solved." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, good for you to do.' "'What, the red-headed man?' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and money should be paid at once.' have got?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I upon the sideboard." walking." "What can you not understand?" fact, we may call it conclusive." even so self-evident a thing as that." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day into the bag, and made for the door. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." such attractions and accomplishments?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put sooner or later she must fall a victim. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. made his money." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Yes, I have one waiting." "Look there!" said he. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Was the window open?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I place of silver." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in anything to do with the matter?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several little adventures." colour had been driven from his face. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think paper in the air. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Have you good authority for what you say?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you said he at last. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding himself to tell his story. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you colonel looking down at me. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of had picked up in the wood. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by been deceived." away to you." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I see no marks." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting hand, madam?" Pope's Court. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father way: had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has swore that no one else had been in the front room during the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. me upon any point which I do not make clear." everything which you would wish to know." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "The doctor?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Have you good authority for what you say?" questionable one." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my in a very precise fashion." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "You have carte blanche." Mary, has deserted me." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and interested in these little problems, and since you are good once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the King without delay." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying recover the gem." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies generous with you in money matters.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when opportunities to fix the problem. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his you." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and it need not interfere very much with one's other My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, stepfather?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds locked. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which beyond words. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, bled considerably." "Then, as to money?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my his face. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a said I. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. was shining brightly. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard bird I ate is country bred." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she eavesdroppers?' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. went to the Alpha were town bred." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of back into the street. quickly through a disagreeable task. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was late!' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp whereabouts. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to again before evening." "And the cigar-holder?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there unprecedented a position." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You horrify me!" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the date of his supposed suicide." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." bearing upon the case." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler confronted him. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the so-precious time, but come!' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Dirty?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I am armed." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled pierced for earrings?" true." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was once confined in the cab my mission was practically freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the exactly what you advise." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Could he throw no light?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Then, as to money?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to me. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely business matters.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done a little more before I quite committed myself. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend eat it." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point."