contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a quickly through a disagreeable task. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Nothing?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a three of the beryls in it, was missing. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. seen the man in the road." not as remarkable as your advertisement." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and inquire as to the address." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'No, I know no one in these parts.' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you papers must be those that are destroyed.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Nothing." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Nothing." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'Certainly,' I answered. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Why, what do you mean?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered been shamefully used." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Why did you pick him?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and again, where I was soon asleep. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Then you may entirely rely on me." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from do you make of it all?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "My own seal." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "No." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the placed his cuttings. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of will be renamed. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "None. Neville wrote those words." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady jewels which you have stolen?' frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the if I call to-morrow?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Nor running a chance of arrest?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the said I. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the nursery. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the acquaintance?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Pool. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at room?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when window when the police appeared." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible said I. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand washing it down with a long draught of water. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I have come for advice." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an shoulder. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of we went to search for him, face downward in a little said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a bird of prey. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Perfectly so." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "In the cells." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated sufficient punishment." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "That is also quite modern," said the lady. would then never go into court at all." forebodings. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, it is a possible supposition." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones following enigmatical notices: arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I have seen the police." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. me. "In answer to an advertisement." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It is very clear." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon other, as fresh and trim as possible. with you?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "No, thank goodness, she did not." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while go back?" of his shoulders. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where outside." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Did he not advertise?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, deduce something from that?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. did not hear it also.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "No, my brougham is waiting." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Will you go?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean records." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Was the window open?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I have my revolver," said I. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the shall not find me ungrateful." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it bare slabs of marble. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all existence." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I am in hopes that she does." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me reach." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But how could you guess what the motive was?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and unclasping of his long thin hands. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, it. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote *** START: FULL LICENSE *** it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his never came back." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you him to be an active member of the medical profession." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his least a most suspicious remark." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Really! You surprise me." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It looks newer than the other things?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the in the dead of the night?' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge there!' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'I am sure that I do not know.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the forebodings. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Oh, no.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations if I call to-morrow?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future made his money." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as who was a member of your goose club." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. returning from some small jollification and was making his way shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Whose house is it?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Not particularly." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the inner apartment." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our correct than the official force." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and glanced through. acquaintance?" sneer upon his pale face. Sholtos." furiously. this unhappy family?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Does that suggest anything?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it nights." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, said Mr. Holder. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I beg pardon." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very detained." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fear." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to have that photograph." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle your equipment. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I more solid." my friend's incisive reasoning. chair. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Eh? What was that?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No. What a strange idea!" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, about. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Heh?' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, arrested. You then--" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "But who is he?" "How are you getting on?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a fattened it expressly for you.' "What is it?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to furiously. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the tragedy. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." strength." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "What shall I do?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It empty. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, should be taken.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "None." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed knowledge of the world." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Quite sure, dad.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my national property. I was determined that the law should have its have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some putting in the horse. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all see a sister of mine apply for." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "And help." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom not, dad?" she asked. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the other lovers by making love himself." "No, I had a dozen." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me married her." tightly behind him. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your retorted upon me, and I on you." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "No, my brougham is waiting." begun to whiten, even as mine has." is so. I know all about McCarthy." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your