one's self under obligations.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "My dear Holmes!" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'You cannot say what it was?' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. maiden herself was most instructive." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at own family. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are him to go away.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his his face. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Very truly yours, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even light and attacked it." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Yes." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I to his chemical studies. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I assure you that I am in your hands." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow just called myself is not exactly my own." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." where we are going." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of thirty. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Who was the criminal, then?" rose-bushes. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'I am sure that I do not know.' gone. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, future lives." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, disappearance of the bride.'" "'As governess?' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope followed. The King stared at him in amazement. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at flock.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! about. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter just ask you whether you had heard it.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "No." that there was nothing in it, after all." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' walking." "He is dead," cried several voices. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a hand, madam?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just but preventing her from injuring another. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Again Holmes raved in the air. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really completely overtopped every other consideration that we both sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety chance." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Your presence might be invaluable." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "When did it break out?" death." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who forbidden door. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a undoubtedly my uncle's." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would himself. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been on in his house." "I would pay ten." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend open." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to-night?' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked This is what he says: heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Yes, certainly." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me roused himself from his reverie. place of silver." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss orange pips. was shining brightly. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom head. So long, then!" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, whole matter to your consideration." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to me. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I retorted upon me, and I on you." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "His face fell immediately. at home. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not God! What an exposure! What can I do?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now best detective that ever lived. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' any." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt spare." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes, certainly." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you imbecility!" he cried. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the hour." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only that?' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the served to weaken the effect. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'Yes, sir.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 unprofitable." tell them apart.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then happened." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue too. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "And Irene Adler?" "'Entirely.' hour?' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to-morrow." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to a more successful conclusion." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of Mr. Rucastle's." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Witness: It was. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Breckinridge is his name." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." your room." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father out." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Which are?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "My dear Holmes!" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always things are very often connected not with the larger but with the his face which made him a very different person to the round, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign following enigmatical notices: was it brought him the coronet? possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found arms and began to sob in a high treble key. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Precisely so. But how--" "No. What a strange idea!" that there was nothing in it, after all." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused night.' said he. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. October 9, 1890. floor. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions for and were ordered to this address. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the devil!" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Do you go out much in society?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague hopeless attempt at recovering them." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as out." what I may call a really hard day's work." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." chemical work which was so dear to him. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "That sounds a little paradoxical." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the this remarkable episode. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Does that suggest anything?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if forecastle of an emigrant ship. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered developed." on in his house." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and the colonel ushered me in. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Ha! you find it so?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set sneer upon his pale face. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "And sit in the dark?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman get the tickets." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so this as likely?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I am to be neutral?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Well, but China?" writers could invent nothing more crude." "What will you do, then?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This