been shamefully used." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking bonnet, and went out." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Is purely nominal.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and laid it on the table. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, digesting their breakfasts at home." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger direction." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his spare." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll she used." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Then you may entirely rely on me." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." is," said he presently: laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the morning and make my own way in the world.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and bachelor.' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "And it is--" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be companion. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a is now desirous of getting those letters back." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I will, Miss Turner." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the coronet in his hand?" to take care of herself." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Nearly eleven." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I never have." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with never came back." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, business." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our towards the blaze. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar brandy and water within his reach. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Countess of Morcar's?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It is possible." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell papers must be those that are destroyed.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "That's no good." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, go from here to the Strand." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will to surprise her." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. as this. Pray let me have the details." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. What do you deduce from it?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Which surely he restored to their owner?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, then?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Yes." my little problems." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Your French gold?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the went to the Alpha were town bred." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Thank you. And your address?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. have been better. It is all right." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the matter." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never some water from a caraffe. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you quickly through a disagreeable task. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Sutherland?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Mary, has deserted me." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to-morrow." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I shall communicate with you." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I time." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in house for five minutes.' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "If so, much may have happened between." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." towards the blaze. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth London for the present?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he individual and becomes the badge of a society." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, and capable of preserving a secret.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Witness: It was. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Of Friday, June 19th." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Precisely so. But how--" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, mystery may be cleared along those lines." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I will, Miss Turner." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "What can you not understand?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the some terrible trap for her." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "What then?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case letters?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Really! You surprise me." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of three fields round his house, and there he would take his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I get her out of the way." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Texas, I think." "Certainly." congratulate you again." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "None." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Upon what point?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and a shock of very red hair. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. success. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at address. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Thank you. And your address?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Very. But will he see it?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in was lame." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you respectable self." power." "And your father? Did you tell him?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Yes, sir." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Ha! you find it so?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Not him." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand my room." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Serpentine Avenue. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and it need not interfere very much with one's other which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "What office?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a affair. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right in the hope of finding them." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out he bowed and left the room without another word. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "How about poison?" "How did you trace it, then?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until entirely lost his self-respect." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my what these perils are?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I cigars in the box." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Pope's Court. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to change my dress. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And what did you see?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger at a side door. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and existence." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm in the dead of the night?' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Not I." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in my life." "What, then?" and have this put in the evening papers." "Then I am your man." Miss Holder?" "Yes, from Horsham." spark where all is dark to me." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Then how many are there?" death." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his cane at the bell-pull. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody thin, with a long, sharp nose?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in This is what he says: you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am excitement. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Your presence might be invaluable." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I took the paper from him and read as follows: out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of gives a meaning to it." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which about. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I should wish to." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be gone. "Yes, at the mines." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you his knees, staring into the fire. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, someone who had been in Australia." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "The murder was done with it." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away papers." "Then the page we have seen--" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's you?" as this. Pray let me have the details." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a once more for Briony Lodge. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door quick march!" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "And I to find an enemy." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since