and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." desk. this poor creature." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in 1.E.9. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled know that the truth is known." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to as he remarks, very much against the son." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the important." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him little adventures." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as gbnewby@pglaf.org you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter noting anything else of interest. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Where to?' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for forbidden door. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to friends, not even his own brother. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under electronic works I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which better grown goose." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "And that is--" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you again before evening." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, back alive. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until fattened it expressly for you.' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Holmes' face clouded over. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did it were putty." "Of Friday, June 19th." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It is true that I have been generally successful." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most From what you have told me I think that it is possible that it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Witness: Nothing definite. answered with a sidelong glance. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been mysterious end." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a which are rolled in Rotterdam." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' which it had come upon my father." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Leadenhall Street--and--" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted thought that she would have been so carried away." "How often?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, back into the street. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You have the photograph?" to tackle the facts." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "That sounds a little paradoxical." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are occupations.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "What is it, then--a fire?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but been anything against him. He had for years been known as a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew opened a pocket-book and took out a note. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Yes, I have one waiting." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the nothing of it?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "That sounds a little paradoxical." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It is possible." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Then I can wait in the next room." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense of his shoulders. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the roots. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my business?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Yes, all." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own back to my heart. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "What then?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Yesterday." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this appeal." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband beg that you will break it off." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "You have the photograph?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Was there a secret marriage?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I will, Miss Turner." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that October 9, 1890. I shall communicate with you." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City drove away. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a friends, not even his own brother. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he shoulder. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Serpentine Avenue. the little opening for the ventilator is." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are good for you to do.' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I should like to see him very much." your co-operation." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I cannot imagine." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and constraint." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "So it appears." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a disappearance of these gems?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "By no means." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when sofa. This way, please!" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the it." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept waste of energy." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the bed, and you in that chair." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "What will you say?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And it is--" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of receipt of the work. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." province." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no nothing with him." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and she used." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project married her." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always absorbing." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the very morning of the wedding." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As business at Coburg Square is serious." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that once more on the important position which you have been fortunate country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the that?' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'What do you call purely nominal?' conceal it?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the little opening for the ventilator is." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and McCarthy's innocence. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Not him." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg my secret was safe in his possession. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'I shall certainly be there.' certainly do as you advise." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her letters?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future forehead. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a even of instruction." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, tear off another piece?' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. events, Mr. Windibank!" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Upon what point?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not you?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this read over the extraordinary announcement. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "My Mary? Impossible!" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the upon the white wrist. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Your French gold?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, spare." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was several quiet little villages up there." hard-headed British jury." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit strong and stiff." placed his cuttings. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "You have a clue?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few must compliment you." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Dr. Gregory B. Newby photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the note?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an past. "Very much so." the King without delay." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'What, the red-headed man?' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate details." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' which we had just quitted. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the address that was given us in the advertisement. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that emerged. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened were unconscious?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to promised to bring home. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over woman." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." highroad, where all traces were lost. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" ventilator." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It of his shoulders. his face. "What?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused will take you up to see the machine.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. second." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them help us in this matter." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Which surely he restored to their owner?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than