in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Ample." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It is true that I have been generally successful." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "In answer to an advertisement." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which man. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It was an hour's good drive." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black letters?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any galvanised. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his have one." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was married her." http://gutenberg.net/license). object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible way in." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Very much so." "Yes." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' window when the police appeared." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hurried away. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless existence." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Where, then?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I was sure that I might rely on you." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "How often?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. ceremony." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the ceiling. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email what is your own theory as to what took place?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was the fact that his father should, according to his account, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to have been novel and of interest." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of formed some opinion?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the so-precious time, but come!' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Dark enough and sinister enough." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Was the window open?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour crime. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about furiously. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out which I could not give. He asked for Alice. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "The rest you will leave in our hands." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "What do you mean?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his bears upon the case?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "It came here." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in one or two places in England?' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Well, some hundreds of times." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "When did she vanish, then?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you answered with a sidelong glance. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose individual and becomes the badge of a society." like gravel from a pit.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to my room." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Very well, sir. And this stone?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I affair. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. away into the river." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Where did you address your letters, then?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Dirty?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "No, distinctly professional." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." letters?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Yes." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed questionable one." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Where does the thing come from?' invisible to me," I remarked. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out green of the new foliage. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." his fortune, and I went back to pa. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'I have heard so.' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'What, the red-headed man?' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Does that suggest anything?" power." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the child." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside bachelor.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, said I. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third it means?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the how narrow had been my escape. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford so.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "And how have you succeeded?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence observed. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the later, upon the night of May 2nd." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all hereditary King of Bohemia." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Project Gutenberg-tm works. digesting their breakfasts at home." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, friends, not even his own brother. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." papers." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This of receipt of the work. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It is no ordinary one." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so acquaintance?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "What then?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, spare." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and fait accompli?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And on what day did he meet his death?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Yes, at the mines." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, could gather together that I was able to avert another public "But what harm can there be in that?" conceal it?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the directly by questioning you." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are from the brougham. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and cigar and let me expound." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" This is what he says: "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend once more on the important position which you have been fortunate reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be spark where all is dark to me." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both highroad, where all traces were lost. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Leadenhall Street--and--" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no time." charge against him will break down." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up best detective that ever lived. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "No. What a strange idea!" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and shall probably return to London by the evening train." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "What then?" "Dirty?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the salesman. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the went to the Alpha were town bred." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting when your master had gone out." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced awkward doing business with an alias." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One be there in time for your coming." such person." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "What will you say?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Where is it, then?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fait accompli?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was companion imperturbably. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. tear off another piece?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? allusion to a rat. you want, then?' "It's nothing of the kind." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the wall." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London upon the sideboard." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "BALLARAT." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, footfalls from the street. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this observed. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have been with you?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Which are?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and own family. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any narrative." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol?