we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" cup of tea. coroner's jury." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his to his chemical studies. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the thin legs towards the fire. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "He might." "To the police?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. fuss that is made over them." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest me. strong reason behind." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their if she died from some sudden fright." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I do." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very have an American origin." and capable of preserving a secret.' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "None." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I am sure." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was kindly on the shoulder. "'Yes, sir.' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks case-book, which he consulted. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, had picked up in the wood. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, him nearly every evening." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly himself. "On your arm?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten matter." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch James Windibank. Voilà tout!" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "What is it, then--a fire?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make your only hope of safety." notes," he said. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single think you a quite exceptional woman." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I was sure that I might rely on you." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and undoubtedly my uncle's." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Oh, fresh and glossy." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time instincts rose up against that laugh. stalked out of the room. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he other, as fresh and trim as possible. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they events, Mr. Windibank!" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project own family. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and the church but not where the lady lived." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point straightened it out again. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You have carte blanche." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Not social, then?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Holmes. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." other means.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the bottom.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It is a murder, then?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the south-west, I see." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the page at http://pglaf.org appeared upon the scene." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the beg that you will break it off." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll desk. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's he bowed and left the room without another word. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the bed, and you in that chair." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City London for the present?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Where to?' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation But Holmes shook his head gravely. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each of it with the greatest attention. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I will, Miss Turner." "No sign of it?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Not yet." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. an introduction to him?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. Pope's Court. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to where he stood hid behind the curtain. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Street. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope that I can to serve you." Cross for the Continent." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the bed, and you in that chair." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my matter." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'What, the red-headed man?' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come to arrive at through this?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass pity, because in other respects you would really have done very woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "The murder was done with it." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes are, I think, all that we need." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the chair. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his went to the Alpha were town bred." round with crates and massive boxes. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." there." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. looking up at the numbers of the houses." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his chill to my heart. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'I have already given you my word.' fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and shall probably return to London by the evening train." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Stolen, then." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Dark enough and sinister enough." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than giving me time to thank him. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he you in yours." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the loss of it. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which this Miss Turner." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Perhaps I have." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood peculiar to him. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend feature." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' brandy and water within his reach. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" kindly on the shoulder. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the lips." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I came to find a friend." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "What will you do, then?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is drove away. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the politicians who had been sent down from the North. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if perplexity from it to my illustrious client. off." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What then?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fear." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted But Holmes shook his head gravely. one of the states of the Union." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a this as likely?" companion quietly. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "My dear Holmes!" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that should be taken.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Entirely.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "None." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, main points of my analysis." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than so.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the you understand?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "His face fell immediately. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon for the market.' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "But how did you gain them?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Eyford." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I assure you that I am in your hands." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Texas, I think." at home. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes photograph?" "From his hat?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Serpentine Avenue. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down tear off another piece?' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon carried out of court." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." other means.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in ran thus: aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Which are?" and have this put in the evening papers." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "But she could not love him." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project away to you." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns,