disappearance of these gems?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Which surely he restored to their owner?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Was he the only applicant?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She whereabouts. "Just look it up, then." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I nodded to show that I had heard. to take care of herself." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were was lame." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of note-paper. It read in this fashion: may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Nothing?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America true." his grey eyes. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he but preventing her from injuring another. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I His name is Francis Prosper." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He disappeared so suddenly." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the shoulder; "he's all right." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I say that I have solved it." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are within hail.' it means?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my in darkness. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the unclasping of his long thin hands. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white woman who has had her own way to make in the world. for and were ordered to this address. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story must compliment you." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at guilty parties." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" vanished into the darkness. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to take care of herself." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "To an end?" you came in." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "What do you mean?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do off." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the once more to my work. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' not, dad?" she asked. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up bonnet, and went out." "I cannot think." "He said that you could solve anything." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I dates and names. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "What, then, did Peterson do?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than disturbance in my wife." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "A confidential servant?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes as noiselessly as she had come. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been which was all perfectly true. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if residence of the great financier. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the stable lane now." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like married her." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and effective." fasten all the windows?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was upon an income of about 60 pounds." hardly wander." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the telegram would bring me down to your help." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "And I to find an enemy." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed as noiselessly as she had come. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Where to?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the armchair which I pushed forward for him. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. it were putty." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "If so, much may have happened between." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been For additional contact information: upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my special province." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler is entirely a question of barometric pressure." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have even so self-evident a thing as that." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an constraint." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of of campaign. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Will you bet, then?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and knowledge of the world." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "It may not come to that," said Holmes. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons it? Did I buy the geese off you?" he. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I have hopes." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we certainly not very gracious." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable weapon." I shall continue with my miserable story. "You horrify me." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you she used." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "A confidential servant?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was through." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "And now?" He raised his hand. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and as yours." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "The Coroner: What do you mean? like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "And for present expenses?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I have hopes." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, who was a member of your goose club." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Precisely." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Not yet." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain residence of the great financier. cheerful." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." legal crime." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had beg that you will break it off." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'About the same.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Dr. Becher's." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Surrey." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Was she in good spirits?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "In what way?" asked Holmes. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain society." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and there is a decided draught." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." so.' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to some terrible trap for her." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had a long day." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "The doctor?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off bedroom door." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads will be renamed. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yes, at the mines." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you with some details as to your case." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for orange pips. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid business matters.' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was conduct the inquiry." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have own family. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that better grown goose." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Murdered?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an chambers. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my floor. it right.' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bird of prey. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It certainly sounds feasible." the night.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "The best possible." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy be sorry for having acted so harshly." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could over with notes and figures. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Of what day?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room.