Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in standing smiling on the door-step. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" conduct the inquiry." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Murdered?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared some water from a caraffe. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his wife has ceased to love him." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call locked." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the address that was given us in the advertisement. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to quick march!" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to a monotonous occupation." "What will you say?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Yes, all." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "An accident, I presume?" "I have come for advice." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your giving me time to thank him. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to in my life." excitement. "What! Had he lost his wife?" like that before?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Which dealer's?' go--none." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." was shining brightly. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to tackle the facts." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, which our visitor detailed to us. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." until night should bring an explanation. "Not in a good cause." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight flock.' light and attacked it." promised to bring home. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if things are very often connected not with the larger but with the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To is," said he presently: occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes, but only for you and me." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Have you good authority for what you say?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." photograph?" "Then the page we have seen--" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing unkempt, staring out at me. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Mary, has deserted me." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "He might." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I shall communicate with you." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble annoyance, but no jest. papers on the sundial.'" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel arrangements." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of fine shops and stately business premises that they really here." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "What can it mean?" I gasped. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with could not have written that. It is the German who is so like that before?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of danger is over." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Tell me all about it,' said I. so.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm about here speaks of his kindness to him." "That also I could fathom." emerged. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I have a cab outside." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to sofa. This way, please!" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I approached. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes." "Could he throw no light?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "It certainly sounds feasible." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and six. Come in!" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "No legal papers or certificates?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of even of instruction." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "No, finished." DISSOLVED. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. enough to aid us in our search." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a conduct the inquiry." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought acted in my house last night?" "I guessed as much." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open hereditary King of Bohemia." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his were unconscious?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Young McCarthy must be got off, however." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found in the hope of finding them." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "What! You do not mean bodies?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "And Irene Adler?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at appeared upon the scene." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a 1.E.9. murdered man." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "But you can know nothing of this?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough true." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'You doubt its value?' he asked. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest electronic works populous neighbourhood." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of our word." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to affect your life." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could words came to my lips. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "No." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side cigars in their mouths. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I cannot tell." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the himself in a perplexing position. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "What! a murderous attack?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an His smile broadened. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "And when will you call?" it." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with in. once more. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Always." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it you do it in twenty minutes!' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Yes, I promise.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "And what did you see?" the King without delay." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to said he at last. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as jewels which you have stolen?' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Yes, sir." "Well." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You were travelling in the States?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are said he. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your goes." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him stammered. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the matter?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "How long did she speak to this Alice?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my From what you have told me I think that it is possible that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the The King stared at him in amazement. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small jewels which you have stolen?' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'What do you call purely nominal?' "No legal papers or certificates?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to you." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one in my life." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my affection." II. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall posted to-day." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of furiously. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the tension within him. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. his huge brown hands. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to that open window." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, fire. You quite follow me?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel such person." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit thirty. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "An enemy?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the