this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "How many? I don't know." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery happened." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is of this gang." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are answer." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know drove away. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Whose house is it?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Ten will be early enough." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Entirely." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort wife's character?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite you, my dear young lady?' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which your co-operation." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Clair, of Lee." round with crates and massive boxes. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light sentimental considerations in the background which would induce delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Was there a secret marriage?" Holmes." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she grasp, he hurried from the room. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady III. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had possible that we could bring him back to her? every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his I was concerned in it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and nonsense.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at furiously. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must get the tickets." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the coroner come to?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Were they all fastened this morning?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Pray let us have it, for all that." the Assizes." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my very peculiar words of the dying woman?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Yes, sir.' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the night.' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the coronet in his hands?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple like gravel from a pit.' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and laid it on the table. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "The gentleman I describe." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he there were so many in the whole country as were brought together wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the date of his supposed suicide." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so this as likely?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right point our research must commence, and we will begin it by implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I promise," said Holmes. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I am following you closely," I answered. one's self under obligations.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Your sister is dead, then?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. lost nothing by them." with the outside air!" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "How did he come?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "How on earth--" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It looks newer than the other things?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "One of the highest in England." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" forehead. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not is entirely a question of barometric pressure." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we read over the extraordinary announcement. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the bed, and you in that chair." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still this poor creature." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Cross for the Continent." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "My Mary? Impossible!" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my do.' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The three of the beryls in it, was missing. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with humiliation." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as conclusions. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "How can you tell that?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax and wait." invisible to me," I remarked. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector his fortune, and I went back to pa. it." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the sofa. This way, please!" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." once more for Briony Lodge. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "This concluded the examination of the witness." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for were wasted." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he to that open window." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to sake, don't!" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "It's nothing of the kind." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." was a lad." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has meant." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, you understand?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "The best possible." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to breakfast." It may be so in this case, also." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether could gather together that I was able to avert another public They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Pope's Court. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest forebodings. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when foresight and the moral retrogression?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'You cannot say what it was?' legal crime." "It came here." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have strong reason behind." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "No good news?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "But what is it you wish?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this pictures, libraries, or plate. "How are you getting on?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad at once, for I have only half an hour." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that than to us. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'There is a drive, then?' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Were they all fastened this morning?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and the whole place is in a blaze." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Why? What do you mean?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to me. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'And what salary do you ask?' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' notes," he said. "On Monday." "Then I am your man." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my yards of it?' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. tension within him. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Dr. Gregory B. Newby his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his but preventing her from injuring another. then?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two residence of the great financier. Holmes." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good cost them two and thirty pounds." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "There are none." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to his chemical studies. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of true." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold kind enough to tell me what I should do." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes, certainly." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which someone who had been in Australia." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too walking." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And what then?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Who by?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, washing it down with a long draught of water. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'What do you call purely nominal?' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before strode off upon his way. round with crates and massive boxes. character. like that before?" in a very precise fashion." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "She told me to ask you." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I himself to hunt down. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of