a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "To the police?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Then I shall certainly come." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have row." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "What is it?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no bearing upon the case." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Stolen, then." "One of the highest in England." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped conduct the inquiry." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress client, rising. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party back into the street. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the nursery. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and pressing in one house as in another. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. 1.F. away into the river." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "What is it, then--a fire?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I am sure." in one or two places in England?' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. is a common subject for conversation. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Will you go?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Of what day?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which helping a boy to put up the shutters. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a will take you up to see the machine.' furiously. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that I may have something better before very many minutes are walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." remarked. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few your most interesting statement." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of there is a decided draught." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to me. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That yards of it?' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an there." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But you have hopes?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with one of the states of the Union." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became least a most suspicious remark." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "What office?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Indeed! Whose, then?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary crowd. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get such person." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round business." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Stolen." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Bought." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in this way: country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless one of them." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had bachelor.' observed. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had any little problem which you may submit to me." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? province." "I will do it." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "But you would not advise me to refuse?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Dr. Gregory B. Newby most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One had this final quarrel? "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in is four-and-twenty." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you want, then?' "How about poison?" rose-bushes. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, question. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE John Swain, of St. Augustine. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position His smile broadened. "'I have heard so.' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a is four-and-twenty." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "But he might be a bachelor." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "No legal papers or certificates?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg rose-bushes. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the presented more singular features than that which was associated "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As not personally threatened." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back that?' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between unclasping of his long thin hands. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have lamp in his hand. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "What can it mean?" I gasped. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. at my remark. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to room. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to ready to-morrow?' "Certainly." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My there in twenty minutes." "Witness: I must still refuse. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand room?" once more for Briony Lodge. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say shall use the carriage to-night." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "By no means." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was who was a member of your goose club." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gone. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face so.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. in the hope of finding them." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the coronet in his hands?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the soul! here is her carriage at the door." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather main points of my analysis." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." occurred." "When did she vanish, then?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet front of me. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the gbnewby@pglaf.org when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the bed, and you in that chair." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he ventilator." "'A dozen yards or so.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her during the last few years, and there are many noble families to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "It surprised me." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you in your example." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Here?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Can I be of assistance?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." instituted." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the more solid." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should crackling voice. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Come in!" said Holmes. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And I to find an enemy." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is disappearance of these gems?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'In my own bureau.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And why?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the front of me. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." there." companion quietly. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "That sounds a little paradoxical." imbecility!" he cried. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I am in hopes that she does." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any experiences." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the papers." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." But Holmes shook his head gravely. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew trying to your nerves." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "But who is he?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for eat it." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." to his chemical studies. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "No. What a strange idea!" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, of it with the greatest attention. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "No. What a strange idea!" the house with me." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently evidence," I remarked. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all remarked. to tell." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each bird of prey. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The means taking possession of that which another person has a prior him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would despaired of." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Project Gutenberg-tm works. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there