husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "In answer to an advertisement." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hurried away. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was highly," said Holmes. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and strong and stiff." "I shall most certainly do so." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and gbnewby@pglaf.org year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Then, how do you know?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he upon the white wrist. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "It certainly sounds feasible." definite end. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "But to whom?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" whereabouts. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. if I call to-morrow?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, a little more before I quite committed myself. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged your billet.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall unprofitable." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sound at heart." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His have accepted such a situation. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from of the one which your family is now devouring." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." weary and pale-looking. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and mysterious end." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The best detective that ever lived. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "By all means." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. knowledge of the world." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have DAMAGE. wedding?" "When did she vanish, then?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Gutenberg-tm License. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and inquire as to the address." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Sutherland. tapping his fingers upon the table. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an him. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress bled considerably." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never lectures into a series of tales." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "No good news?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been You want to know what became of those geese?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, spark where all is dark to me." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It was an hour's good drive." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He there!' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had enter into my head. "Perhaps we may make them less so." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed affection." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed weighed down with some great anxiety. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault morning." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." DISSOLVED. wedding?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "But his lameness?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "What is it?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at anything to a woman, for she would have her way." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable McCarthy's innocence. could go. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Eh? What was that?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to morning." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly my former friend and companion. What do you deduce from it?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. late!' started for the Temple to see my husband. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his a very grave face. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his was a perfect sample of the class. "Indeed! Whose, then?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." unprecedented a position." Surrey." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the loss of it. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the devil!" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Yes, it was gone.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Sholtos." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." is acting for the best. "My photograph." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "And what did you see?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Well, some hundreds of times." side. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he child?' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And the cigar-holder?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the conceal it?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. own family. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily British peeress.'" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent knowledge of the world." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The burst into a hearty fit of laughter. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You have carte blanche." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I will do it." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a of this gang." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow towards the blaze. eat it." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Stoke Moran?" said he. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I License. You must require such a user to return or obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would look dissatisfied." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Thank you. Pray proceed." with her." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the fear." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "You don't mind breaking the law?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my discontent upon his features. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the coroner's jury." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Foundation "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the absorbing." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some with her." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything unprofitable." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of them has the shutters up.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the next day. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "And I." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the hands. and inquire as to the address." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Quite sure, dad.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the room?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Do you go out much in society?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that do." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "And from a noble client?" "Ample." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall about. true." "Witness: Nothing definite. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if carried out of court." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. companion quietly. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of that I may have something better before very many minutes are window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Certainly not.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I was mad--insane." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given delirious. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing him. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Yes, all." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. how narrow had been my escape. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is McCarthy's innocence. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands details should find their way into the papers. Inspector begun to whiten, even as mine has." hands. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "She will not sell." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "It missed him, then?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, man. I know him from the photograph." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Bought." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of good for you to do.' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he man. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Your presence might be invaluable." "What, then?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my wedding?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of kind enough to tell me what I should do." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before answer." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The Coroner: What do you mean? home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." of receipt of the work. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I cannot say that I have." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A side. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of before the coroner and the police-court." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "In which, sir?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." You want to know what became of those geese?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some legal crime." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holmes' thin, eager face. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the grasp, he hurried from the room. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Lestrade of Scotland Yard." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" strong reason behind." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the nursery. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Where could I find him?' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You'll never persuade me to believe that." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the