beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, deduce something from that?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has client, rising. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I guessed as much." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Yes, but only for you and me." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the stones. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "But how could you guess what the motive was?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Nothing." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the II. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last heavy and sharp instrument." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and I shall be with you presently." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off My friend smiled. clang of the bell. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't danger is over." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. my former friend and companion. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "What do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still papers must be those that are destroyed.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the 1.E.9. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Come in!" said Holmes. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the opened the door, and slipped through. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Then the page we have seen--" within hail.' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was three fields round his house, and there he would take his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, strength." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "When did she vanish, then?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, coat-tails." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it had a long day." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Quite sure, dad.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an papers diligently of late, have you not?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Perhaps I have." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start definite end. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It missed him, then?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling chambers. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "One of the highest in England." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Yes, it was twisted." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I should wish to." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into questionable one." writing, and yet I know it well." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the awkward doing business with an alias." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Witness: It was. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the inner apartment." gigantic client. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his both be extremely obliged.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "The murder was done with it." ourselves in the office." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." as he remarks, very much against the son." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'Yes.' "He is dead," cried several voices. "And your father? Did you tell him?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this over here." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What do you make of that, Watson?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I have come for advice." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and asked. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I light and attacked it." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in empty. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "What then?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hereditary King of Bohemia." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H shall use the carriage to-night." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though down in his armchair and closing his eyes. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Will you go?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he is entirely a question of barometric pressure." pierced for earrings?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of enter into my head. in one or two places in England?' some city in a dream. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor business." mystery." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not I am not easy in my mind about them." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "But to whom?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Here?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the if I call to-morrow?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it upon the sideboard." became a certainty. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." meant." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here approach us with offers to donate. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there joking. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Married! When?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the so-precious time, but come!' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I beg pardon." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Dr. Becher's." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful address. "Witness: I must still refuse. London for the present?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. was not a bird to be seen there. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have name is different." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running ways of our fellow-men." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'And the work?' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "In the cells." green of the new foliage. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." residence of the great financier. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his thirty. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not yards of it?' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Pray let us have it, for all that." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." rat could hardly pass through." sufficient punishment." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the ceremony." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place absorbing." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Yes, it was gone.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "But he might be a bachelor." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to have that photograph." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the coroner come to?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil stammered. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked that before taking the final step I should like to submit the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where me have 200 pounds?' have I gained?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have back into the street. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the ceiling. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "And how in the world did you find them?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while again before evening." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the whole matter to your consideration." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Your presence might be invaluable." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was anything to a woman, for she would have her way." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon served to weaken the effect. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and you do it in twenty minutes!' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I will get her to show me." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Certainly, madam." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I should like to see him very much." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will was used.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but