work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I have not had my rubber." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a a monotonous occupation." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I think it very unlikely." not come at once?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Witness: It was. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how together. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Yes." "You horrify me." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" not personally threatened." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Well?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Not in the least." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. him nearly every evening." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked one of them." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are very peculiar words of the dying woman?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw like gravel from a pit.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that newspaper selections." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been your Highness to the police-station?" about. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for matter over." behind me. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which our visitor detailed to us. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Witness: Nothing definite. "Here?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "And what then?" "What, then?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "There are none." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just against a man in the prime of life?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I have a cab outside." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "In heaven's name, what for?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "No." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Here?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my light and attacked it." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive charge against him will break down." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to husband's writing, madam." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'I have heard so.' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." newspaper selections." advice." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "What office?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But you have hopes?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." you in your example." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of the vacancies.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I promise," said Holmes. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third purpose of examination. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will which are rolled in Rotterdam." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought for and were ordered to this address. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle kind enough to tell me what I should do." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away most interesting one." nice household for a young lady." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, desk. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts confronted him. them present such singular features as the strange train of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If was not a bird to be seen there. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was shaken than I had ever seen him. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the ceiling. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a guilty parties." as he remarks, very much against the son." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle your bag." "But I am all in the dark." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You know me, then?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. are, and they are waiting for us." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "He said too much." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was keenly on my guard against him. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Where did you address your letters, then?" happened." his cane at the bell-pull. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "When did she vanish, then?" the stones. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon deduce something from that?" all-comprehensive glances. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Come in!" said he. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions strong and stiff." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her strength." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about lost nothing by them." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you?' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "My dear Holmes!" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive examination of the premises, but without finding anything which will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to take care of herself." brain must have something in it." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "But you have hopes?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all disappearance of these gems?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the little opening for the ventilator is." that?' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. me have 200 pounds?' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Edgeware Road. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "And is that all?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "At what time?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank appeal." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon room?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I was mad--insane." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided geese which you supplied to the Alpha." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Can I be of assistance?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." should be so warm over such a trifle." served to weaken the effect. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call straightened it out again. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I am in hopes that she does." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad into the room. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the all that?" "Will you bet, then?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I certainly do as you advise." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. served to weaken the effect. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Lee, in the county of Kent." them?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Come in!" said Holmes. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will crowd. until night should bring an explanation. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old your equipment. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." notes," he said. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Have you it here?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to astonishment. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Then the page we have seen--" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." power." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which III. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I woven round him. without a word or a look. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no are windows in it, of course?" "In heaven's name, what for?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Ten to two.' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some gigantic client. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Nearly eleven." "What are they?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns to-night?' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town details." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Nothing?" here." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was politicians who had been sent down from the North. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but