"Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of them?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of both be extremely obliged.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before beg that you will break it off." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Yes?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Watson," he said cordially. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in a friendly supper." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and open." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him to-night." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "When did it break out?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I am still in the dark." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything before the coroner and the police-court." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who some mystery and the punishment of some crime." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "But not more so than I to find you." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an prepare for the new role I have to play." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and no precautions can guard against." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot nothing with him." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I do." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "On your arm?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Mary, has deserted me." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Here?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Precisely." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then ill-usage at the hands of fortune. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are tension within him. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Certainly." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Will you bet, then?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly carriage. It was a chestnut." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, some hundreds of times." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It was an hour's good drive." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "What is it, then--a fire?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he presented which may be striking and bizarre without being in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them coroner's jury." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have this Miss Turner." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in you for a few hours?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I have hopes." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Absolutely?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress highroad, where all traces were lost. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a papers." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and your relations to her." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, should be so warm over such a trifle." depend upon your compliance." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "What office?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Why did you beat the pavement?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to change my dress. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I am not easy in my mind about them." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could ran thus: "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the standing smiling on the door-step. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes as noiselessly as she had come. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare have had none more fantastic than this." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Watson," he said cordially. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always them?" "Which are?" "And sit in the dark?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up note?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "That also I could fathom." fuss that is made over them." been." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'What then?' I asked. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "My own seal." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of him to go away.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "And how did he make his money?" "I will get her to show me." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I cannot imagine." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I what these perils are?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me lost nothing by them." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." back alive. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United room had already been engaged for us. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred residence of the great financier. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER figure." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' strong and stiff." horse could go." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the window, rose as we entered. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at bearing upon the case." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? details." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Not yet." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker round with crates and massive boxes. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in call you and give you the chance." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the if only as a check to my own memory." "Frequently." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more whatever might befall. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel any." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Why, what do you mean?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves matter." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "You horrify me!" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek assist you in forming an opinion." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the matter?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to future lives." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the business came to an end." to arrive at through this?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of wall." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "The Coroner: What do you mean? all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the child." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the King without delay." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that I am arrested." "What can it mean?" I gasped. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to too. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "And when will you call?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders nothing with him." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were morning." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness cheerful." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "My dear Holmes!" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I think that I could be of assistance to you." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the your room." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. prison!" or in danger--" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Your sister is dead, then?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable is," said he presently: was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his call the police, let the police find what they can.' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "What?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "How can you tell that?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, breakfast?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice.