"I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "So I have heard." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. States. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Ha! you find it so?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "It was." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose easy-going way." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and your relations to her." very old mansion. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I am following you closely," I answered. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' during which he might have communicated with his friend the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." in. acquaintance?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the yards of it?' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'What, the red-headed man?' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange examine." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself it." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will any more." "Look there!" said he. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said fuss that is made over them." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell For additional contact information: upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a something of him before." them present such singular features as the strange train of He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "We must have a cab." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yes." have had none more fantastic than this." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and highly," said Holmes. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I never have." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty woven round him. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the crime." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had a suggestive one." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now rose-bushes. in the hope of finding them." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "He might." about. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might redistribution. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the your troubles." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the had formerly been in part my own. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and which we had just quitted. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "How long did she speak to this Alice?" formed some opinion?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my neither fascinating nor artistic." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of the way of danger. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps nothing with him." who was a member of your goose club." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I was mad--insane." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' a little more before I quite committed myself. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my did not hear it also.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'What then?' I asked. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Munro.' cigar and let me expound." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then have had none more fantastic than this." nice household for a young lady." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Nothing." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I everything which you would wish to know." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'About the same.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the breakfast." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "A confidential servant?" miles off. note?" Cross for the Continent." fashion which was peculiar to him. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I have hopes." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "She walked into the breakfast-room." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Clair, of Lee." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him redistribution. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I know where it is." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was have accepted such a situation. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a upon the sideboard." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed hurried by. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. even so self-evident a thing as that." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came will find little credit to be gained out of this case." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport in a friendly supper." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than himself in a perplexing position. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It is possible." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged pound a week." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Why that?' I asks. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "And now?" I asked. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police other lovers by making love himself." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do what I may call a really hard day's work." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Precisely so. But how--" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the other lovers by making love himself." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the returned to France?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to Leatherhead. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Edgeware Road. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety married her." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the stammered. the so-precious time, but come!' "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance with frightened eyes at his accuser. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "No." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Not yet." again, where I was soon asleep. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my what I may call a really hard day's work." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "What can it mean?" I gasped. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Yes, sir.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this criminal. We have already had experience of such." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "And what then?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter business." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all it." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas bill, which interests me deeply." is acting for the best. that he will be back before evening." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little are, and they are waiting for us." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the whether it answered to the description of any of their to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Witness: I must still refuse. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Which surely he restored to their owner?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for your most interesting statement." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must impression behind it as though a window had gently closed suddenly upon us." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'Yes, I promise.' works. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Where to?' "But what will you do?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Murdered?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, John Swain, of St. Augustine. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young instincts rose up against that laugh. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray From what you have told me I think that it is possible that as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, just called myself is not exactly my own." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "And the cigar-holder?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I cannot tell." she might be summoned. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." tail." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Here?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and three of the beryls in it, was missing. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes, all." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love might have a private word with us. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our I was concerned in it." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "But his left-handedness." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of it with the greatest attention. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Pool. mystery!" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had