unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late residence of the great financier. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I was it brought him the coronet? son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Never,' said I. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the tragedy. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Proceed, then." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "On the contrary, this is the right side." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I am to be neutral?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I was afraid that you were engaged." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "My private note-paper." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" families. Now for the facts. four million human beings all jostling each other within the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But his left-handedness." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he other lovers by making love himself." strength in the others." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his brandy and water within his reach. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Yes, it was twisted." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit this as likely?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest man. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Yesterday." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Really! You surprise me." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Indeed! Whose, then?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "And how did you verify them?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no sooner or later she must fall a victim. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." status with the IRS. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in not, dad?" she asked. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, infinite languor in his face. "I cannot say that I have." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant in this way: "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried crime." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Have you her photograph?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into maiden herself was most instructive." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss about here speaks of his kindness to him." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "And you thought he was pulled back?" Holmes' face clouded over. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very ago." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the date of his supposed suicide." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "My dear Holmes!" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, fluttered off among the others. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was already answered. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I shall most certainly do so." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Lee, in the county of Kent." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were directors have had misgivings upon the subject." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third train.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You forget that I know nothing about it." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink views." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." mystery." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Do you go out much in society?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious sofa. This way, please!" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the me what he had done with the three missing stones. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "You have the photograph?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Holmes." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "To the police?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "It surprised me." to surprise her." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. from you?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden looking up at the numbers of the houses." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in my life." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Did he not advertise?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Then the page we have seen--" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll seen the man in the road." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said fat-encircled eyes. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "And Irene Adler?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Which dealer's?' that, and I came down." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." with you alone." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All ashen face. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You think that he is dead?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Yes." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch fatally injured? Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with again on its way. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning following enigmatical notices: closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Well, it is a possible supposition." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for something of him before." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." once more. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I have solved it." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very character. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short presented which may be striking and bizarre without being form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few thought that she would have been so carried away." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is acted in my house last night?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Why serious?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity words came to my lips. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the nursery. will be renamed. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature was a lad." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by dead, shall be safe with us." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which sofa. This way, please!" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've humiliation." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons galvanised. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out public press." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of furiously. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Could he throw no light?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still unprecedented a position." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dead, shall be safe with us." "I should be immensely obliged to you." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock noting anything else of interest. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the south-west, I see." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "The murder was done with it." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "9th. McCauley cleared. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "And how did he make his money?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "None. Neville wrote those words." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "A confidential servant?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging placed his cuttings. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my indeed happy." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached not come at once?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Perhaps I have." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Well, it is a possible supposition." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Very. But will he see it?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Seven!" I answered. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the nursery. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "It is to him that this trophy belongs." client, rising. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Certainly." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" experiences." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the Assizes."