lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought in this note: 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was hurried by. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to said he at last. records." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Ample.' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." ago." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "And Irene Adler?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." fishes. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" new acquaintance to Baker Street. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and capable of preserving a secret.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" any little problem which you may submit to me." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'I have heard so.' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed walking." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: power." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw window when the police appeared." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Not in the least." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "In San Francisco, a year ago." the Red-headed League." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those introspective fashion. tension within him. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a way in everything. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out front of the hall door has given its name to the place. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It outside. have an American origin." "And you don't know his address?" hands. to surprise her." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the matter?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and I shall be with you presently." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I see no marks." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent you understand?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I came to find a friend." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, chambers. "'Certainly not. But why?' "I do." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found you." "I should like to see him very much." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts standing smiling on the door-step. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which I could not give. He asked for Alice. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with whereabouts. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and the church but not where the lady lived." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No, I think that I'll take it." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the you do it in twenty minutes!' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Pray do so." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Come in!" said he. a good hundred miles off by now." papers diligently of late, have you not?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their away in different directions, and I went off to make my own There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We wedding?" feature." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is no ordinary one." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Eh? What was that?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes, sir." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." touch that coronet?' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the on re-entering her father's house?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have used to be." Doctor, of the paper and the date." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and glanced through. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet best detective that ever lived. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but plantation.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Arthur Conan Doyle quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "He is dead," cried several voices. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But of what society?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "In San Francisco, a year ago." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Quite so. She has her freedom." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Well?" "And I say east," said my patient. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In my former friend and companion. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in morning." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided upon the shelf for the interim." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that six. Come in!" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT went to the Alpha were town bred." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Then what has happened to him?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. know all about it," he snarled. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'What are you doing there?' he asked. galvanised. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all used to be." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked call you and give you the chance." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences that you wished to speak to me?' "Never." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" man. I know him from the photograph." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to best detective that ever lived. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and miles off. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "No, I had a dozen." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Thank you. Pray proceed." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and laid it on the table. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to-night?' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised hour." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive vault. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very strode off upon his way. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Do you receive much company?" he asked. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the locked. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must seen the man in the road." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that seven miles from Eyford Station.' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of friend's singular character. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "A client, then?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property in the hope of finding them." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "But how will you look?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power together. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "To the police?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and I shall be with you presently." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you your bag." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so opened a pocket-book and took out a note. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a absorbing." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was seem to you to be relevant or not." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'Entirely.' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for *** START: FULL LICENSE *** both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. enter into my head. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by ordinary clothes on?" the little opening for the ventilator is." a little more before I quite committed myself. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it DAMAGE. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most used to be." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of allusion to a rat. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Yesterday." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our was once confined in the cab my mission was practically waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "At the wedding breakfast." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." voice. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, washing it down with a long draught of water. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Two days later this same performance was gone through under passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with affection." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "None." noble correspondent could be. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you definite end. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, him to go away.' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'What then?' I asked. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very respectable self." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though did not hear it also.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill on in his house." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers