other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I your most interesting statement." dear old homesteads?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Who was the criminal, then?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "My private note-paper." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great with the outside air!" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old call it cruel." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts of them has the shutters up.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "It is true that I have been generally successful." "No, I had a dozen." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very signal between you and your father? unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Not in a good cause." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he breakfast and whispered something to her husband. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'And what are they worth?' I asked. lectures into a series of tales." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, peculiar to him. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should lost nothing by them." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Here?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the running down." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Where did you address your letters, then?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in heavy and sharp instrument." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and I shall be with you presently." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and light and attacked it." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of will take you up to see the machine.' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Perfectly so." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter other means.' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at it." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Proceed, then." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our details should find their way into the papers. Inspector But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not did not hear it also.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I am to be neutral?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I sparkled upon his finger. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Where does the thing come from?' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Certainly." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to-night." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable answered with a sidelong glance. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, particular state visit http://pglaf.org The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left approach us with offers to donate. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do weighed down with some great anxiety. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "A call for help, you thought?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You have a clue?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "That you are never beaten." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and effective." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest upon the sideboard." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I have hopes." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and it need not interfere very much with one's other Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, rat could hardly pass through." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is plantation.' in. "'About the same.' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, asked. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A call you and give you the chance." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be which I could not give. He asked for Alice. said Mr. Holder. felt?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he next day. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your feature." "I am following you closely," I answered. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' believe that I should never have any practice at all. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. plantation.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Where, indeed?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a himself to hunt down. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us 1.F. was lame." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Never." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I don't say that. Perhaps." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, suspect him." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And that is--" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. was lame." said he at last. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned little trying to do so much typewriting?" nonsense.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I am about to be married." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my such person." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I should like to see him very much." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my outsides of the windows. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, felt?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly sofa. This way, please!" any more." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "How are you getting on?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Married! When?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what never will be, entirely cleared up. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his my room." "I say it is." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other know all about it," he snarled. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the date of his supposed suicide." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I DAMAGE. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Pool. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several not personally threatened." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for had formerly been in part my own. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the very old mansion. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "The landlord of the Alpha." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I this poor creature." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Entirely." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I photograph a cabinet?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "And it is--" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "What will you say?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "My private note-paper." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "What! You do not mean bodies?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Perhaps I have." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Bought." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "My dear Holmes!" "How can you tell that?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to his chemical studies. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks money should be paid at once.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to take care of herself." of Fenchurch Street." how narrow had been my escape. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all