"And I say east," said my patient. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I am still in the dark." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as entirely devoid of interest." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Thank you. And your address?" that you wished to speak to me?' Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes." "No sign of it?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with vault. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that threaten you." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among front of me. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." conclusions. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have chance at all." the matter?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "And I to find an enemy." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my companion quietly. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of it with the greatest attention. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered know that the truth is known." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I don't say that. Perhaps." "How did he come?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange your only hope of safety." 1.E.9. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Never." "If I can be of use." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, all-comprehensive glances. the coronet in his hands?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "The landlord of the Alpha." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Then how many are there?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "There are none." Serpentine Avenue. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Indeed! Whose, then?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my my friend's incisive reasoning. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my little trying to do so much typewriting?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish any little problem which you may submit to me." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "What of the rat, then?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without should be taken.' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which bore every mark of being an average commonplace British one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "What are they?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the matter?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "At half-wages, in fact." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of once more for Briony Lodge. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage that threaten you." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "When did it break out?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing himself to tell his story. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same occupations.' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. you give your casting vote to?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you ran thus: It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which girl said." foot. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification absorbing." weapon." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that disturbance in my wife." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I see no marks." "Certainly." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, more solid." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A things are very often connected not with the larger but with the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party ill-usage at the hands of fortune. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." it means?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "No." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and files of the old papers, following the future career of every harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free with her." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "About a month then." 'please.'" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "How did you deduce the select?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall my former friend and companion. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Did your wife hear all this?" nothing with him." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in would apply.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was him, that man would not have given me such complete information "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich stood on the top of it. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the putting in the horse. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But she could not love him." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you throat." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We beyond words. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in how narrow had been my escape. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I these bleak autumnal evenings." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that weary and pale-looking. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the inquest, and which are worth considering." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in down. "Where to?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And that is--" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Countess of Morcar's?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, bell. Holmes whistled. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "What steps will you take?" I asked. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Always." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off tail." the dangers which encompass me." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Countess of Morcar's?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life when you have done it." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the running down." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Sholtos." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. amused." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious enter into my head. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare The summons was a brief and urgent one. I think that I could be of assistance to you." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "It came here." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which shoulder; "he's all right." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Yes." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It was." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the events than those which have happened in my own family." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm been deceived." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who is entirely a question of barometric pressure." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an be there in time for your coming." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" where she found matters as described by the last witness. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I in. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "No, my brougham is waiting." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. quite distinctive." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of." someone who had been in Australia." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have friend's singular character. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Was she in good spirits?" instincts rose up against that laugh. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible presented which may be striking and bizarre without being time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Yes, sir.' yet." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could desk. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "The rest you will leave in our hands." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & late." indeed which he could not unravel. leaning back in his chair. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a you for a few hours?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "No sign of it?" never to learn it at all." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has bedroom door." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I cannot as yet see any connection." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "So I heard. You have him here?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." tear off another piece?' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously infinite languor in his face. locked. disturbance in my wife." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, quite distinctive." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin death." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit