some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Then what has happened to him?" "When did she vanish, then?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Perfectly so." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until me. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I strong reason behind." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself conversation I have gathered that they have been married about usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely woven round him. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "And what did you learn from him?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long miles off. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door better grown goose." tail." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Mrs. Toller serenely. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his pressing in one house as in another. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "But she could not love him." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." seven miles from Eyford Station.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me official police." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Never,' said I. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the inner apartment." strength." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have know all about it," he snarled. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I am all attention, madam." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Have you her photograph?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for these bleak autumnal evenings." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Leave Paddington by the 11:15." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely door?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, any little problem which you may submit to me." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I took the paper from him and read as follows: ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work him to go away.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." ways of our fellow-men." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that he has suffered." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The enter Dr. Roylott's room." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was shining brightly. are windows in it, of course?" direction." question," said Holmes, smiling. "And for present expenses?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Serpentine Avenue. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "And your father? Did you tell him?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Was there a secret marriage?" "I say that I have solved it." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and voice, changing her seat as requested. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" more solid." tear off another piece?' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her it." he died? "That is not always so easy." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning tied." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' quite distinctive." fishes. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I cannot say that I have." straightened it out again. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I would give my fortune to have them back." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H over here." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "And how?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men is now desirous of getting those letters back." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the coronet at all injured?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Your presence might be invaluable." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Dirty?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my tear off another piece?' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just your sleep?' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a so.' six. Come in!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Where to?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I through." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears some mystery and the punishment of some crime." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "No, thank goodness, she did not." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom your bag." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which habit of advancing money.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the relief. "'A dozen yards or so.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "And now?" I asked. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the King without delay." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you upon an income of about 60 pounds." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' once more. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'I am sure if I had known--' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, union?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two this remarkable episode. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "He disappeared so suddenly." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could 1.F. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the one as in the other." room?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "To ruin me." "Yes, it would be as well." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and union?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 hour." "'Very good.' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, that, and I came down." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the speckled band?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yesterday." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences place no limit on the sum I may draw." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" II. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by footfalls from the street. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter know all about it," he snarled. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "How long did she speak to this Alice?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, for its centre. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I dates and names. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." quickly through a disagreeable task. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the light and attacked it." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so train.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and a monotonous occupation." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But what harm can there be in that?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of fuss that is made over them." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It looks newer than the other things?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Precisely so. But how--" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as furiously. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his all?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Nearly eleven." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his future lives." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow of the one which your family is now devouring." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "How can you tell that?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to tell." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "You were travelling in the States?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Street. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, your only hope of safety." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "The doctor?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out like that before?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little companion quietly. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must not as remarkable as your advertisement." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you see me here to avoid scandal." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss their singular warning or token before them when starting upon would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to arrive at through this?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of from the brougham. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, important." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger south, for the country is more deserted there." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the most interesting one." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds acquaintance?" "Get out!" said he. "I cannot tell." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly nonsense.' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. thin legs towards the fire. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with