which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' himself. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive wedding?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. II. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. for the market.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. appeared upon the scene." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Why did you pick him?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the dangers which encompass me." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of becomes even more simple." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Of Friday, June 19th." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the south-west, I see." invisible to me," I remarked. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "No bad?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with question. Pope's Court. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in him. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three a monotonous occupation." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the all-comprehensive glances. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, have an American origin." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended door?" imbecility!" he cried. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his as the one I chose?' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. to tackle the facts." you." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "But your client--" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Tell me all about it,' said I. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "So I have heard." may have an influence upon European history." the Red-headed League." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair His name is Francis Prosper." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything very morning of my second wedding." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "There are none." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all indiscretion." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean indeed which he could not unravel. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Thank you. And your address?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. jewels which you have stolen?' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Most admirably.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the meanly of me." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Precisely." "Yes, sir." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, do.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the behind me. furiously. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "It is half-past ten now." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Then let me do so?' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" friends, not even his own brother. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that before the coroner and the police-court." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this round with crates and massive boxes. Where does the thing come from?' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, presented more singular features than that which was associated array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "What do you mean?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in any." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had colour had been driven from his face. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I think that it is very probable." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I will do it." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a society." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue than was visible to me." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to talk it over. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the matter." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Here?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "How did he come?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard distinguish the words: "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You will not go there first?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck results." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall thought that she would have been so carried away." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both points to suicide?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Come in!" said he. night.' said he. the one as in the other." fuss that is made over them." will not take me long to tell. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I have hopes." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "It surprised me." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Nothing." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "None." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had matter over." affection." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Perhaps I have." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me has little to do with my story." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "By no means." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Pray do so." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since a very grave face. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "A greater distance to travel." "Pray continue your narrative." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My had died away into the silence from which it rose. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed flock.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. enough to aid us in our search." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, your own bird, so if you wish--" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "None." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'I shall certainly be there.' extraordinary contortions. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at closing the door. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. that I am arrested." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what generous with you in money matters.' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in coat-tails." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I shall most certainly do so." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, your only hope of safety." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "The gentleman I describe." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I touch that coronet?' as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "We were both in the photograph." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some have an American origin." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Stolen, then." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, back alive. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "But we can't all be." "I am in hopes that she does." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I quick march!" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hardly wander." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and intrusion of other matters." amused." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "You were travelling in the States?" standing smiling on the door-step. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she any more." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Your presence might be invaluable." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his spark where all is dark to me." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the long narrative. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "How do you know, then?" companion imperturbably. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very handed it to him. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as he bowed and left the room without another word. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will down in his armchair and closing his eyes. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Where, indeed?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "In which, sir?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up examine." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a we went to search for him, face downward in a little these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was status with the IRS. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and a shock of very red hair. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Indeed! Whose, then?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to all-comprehensive glances. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. McCarthy." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'I have heard so.' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to jewels which you have stolen?' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Dr. Becher's." said I. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his child?' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Nothing?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "But how did you gain them?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to tackle the facts." "Deserted you?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera closely." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was make me his representative both with the servants and with the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and no precautions can guard against." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of Fenchurch Street." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however,