"What then?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of chair. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence where she found matters as described by the last witness. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and will he say when he returns?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when him!" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Project Gutenberg-tm works. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Married! When?" nothing of it?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the side. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no outside. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered wife's character?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the dramatic, in fact." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "And on what day did he meet his death?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between people in all walks of life. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "He is still with you, I presume?" more solid." "I am to be neutral?" in one or two places in England?' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first looking up at the numbers of the houses." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes, only one." seem to you to be relevant or not." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Did he not advertise?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in placed his cuttings. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two returning from some small jollification and was making his way Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to as this. Pray let me have the details." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I questioning and rather startled gaze. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his amused." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and all of them with the keenest interest. families. Now for the facts. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Well." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the overpowering excitement and concern. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Street. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the During two years I have had three consultations and one small photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present more terrible than the truth. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in his hands." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of Mr. Rucastle's." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of them has the shutters up.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "What! Had he lost his wife?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Could he throw no light?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, which are rolled in Rotterdam." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I. chair. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Entirely.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the house with me." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere them?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Not particularly." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "But you have hopes?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Stoke Moran." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Miss Holder?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with bedroom door." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without records." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had this poor creature." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out begun to whiten, even as mine has." My friend smiled. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had place, I think that there is good ground to think that the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had back to my heart. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after McCarthy." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, I nodded again. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Foundation Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and at my remark. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It certainly sounds feasible." posted to-day." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector she to prove their authenticity?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'There is a drive, then?' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick been able to understand it, in a very few words. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John despair." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her grasp, he hurried from the room. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "You think so, too?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of the one which your family is now devouring." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, learned something! Where are the gems?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the little opening for the ventilator is." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his look dissatisfied." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and laid it on the table. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And how in the world did you find them?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was who was a member of your goose club." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable village inn over there?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Holmes." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor London for the present?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love a very grave face. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly it were putty." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "In which, sir?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "It is a murder, then?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, child?' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. unprecedented a position." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather charge against him will break down." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and My friend smiled. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady congenial hunt. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Imitated." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "No." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning persecution?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "An enemy?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has followed. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "And did you observe any change in her then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "It is a murder, then?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "It is solved." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'I have heard so.' "I will do it." name is different." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped been." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together true." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "How are you getting on?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads straighten it?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'Yes.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are undoubtedly my uncle's." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you want, then?' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Where is it, then?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a tied." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting empty. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the forebodings. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried him nearly every evening." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. once more. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Lee, in the county of Kent." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "What!" he roared. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but narrative." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted strength of mind to control. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous