"'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of hurried by. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Very. But will he see it?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in bonnet, and went out." soul! here is her carriage at the door." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had we went to search for him, face downward in a little remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you directly by questioning you." room. during that time.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." papers." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting placed his cuttings. jewels which you have stolen?' to some other building. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Can I be of assistance?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present emerged. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small distinguish the words: happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father peculiar to him. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else chance." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "But not more so than I to find you." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is morning." annoyance, but no jest. thirty. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "By no means." of your young ladies.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug despaired of." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to events than those which have happened in my own family." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. morning." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you galvanised. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And I to find an enemy." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass trying to your nerves." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Where did you address your letters, then?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Quite so. She has her freedom." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Why serious?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can into the bag, and made for the door. "I cannot tell." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Yes, it was twisted." ordinary clothes on?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. for the market.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to me. go--none." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man entirely lost his self-respect." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain knowledge of the world." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal said I. stalked out of the room. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I feature." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Did you observe the colour?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Witness: It was. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "My last client of the sort was a king." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Whose house is it?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some posted to-day." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." words came to my lips. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in the port of London." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I shall communicate with you." have I gained?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I cannot tell." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "What then?" in the port of London." "'Entirely.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding have one." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round him, that man would not have given me such complete information Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "We must sit without light. He would see it through the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be which it had come upon my father." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a out of this horrible affair." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could copied or distributed: honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his outsides of the windows. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Thank you. And your address?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I have come for advice." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "He is still with you, I presume?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I say it is." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I am still in the dark." unkempt, staring out at me. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet spark where all is dark to me." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he companion. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "He might." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Then, how do you know?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his had died away into the silence from which it rose. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "May I see it?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back coat-tails." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "You saw the ventilator, too?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not been able to understand it, in a very few words. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "But you can know nothing of this?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is at home. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would an introduction to him?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Where to?" "'Ample.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I one of the states of the Union." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked retorted upon me, and I on you." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold whole matter to your consideration." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It is possible." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such may never be exposed to such a temptation." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for away into the river." "Then what has happened to him?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' sooner or later she must fall a victim. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was to arrive at through this?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Oh, yes, easily." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "And for present expenses?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Heh?' future lives." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was tell me that you intended to go into harness." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the presume?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Ample.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried unprofitable." like that before?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a and it need not interfere very much with one's other then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and presume?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Where is it, then?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your once more. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "And leave your case unfinished?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. on in his house." Where does the thing come from?' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my beg that you will break it off." "And how?" You want to know what became of those geese?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "We have tried and failed." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears stood on the top of it. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "That is it on the dressing-table." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Foundation constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have take the flies, but not before." like gravel from a pit.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "That is easily got." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness respectable self." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the room while you explain this matter?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "He is dead," cried several voices. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged should be so warm over such a trifle." any." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Miss Holder?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter cup of tea. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Texas, I think." is acting for the best. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his shoulders. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'Yes, sir.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to arrive at through this?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been was once confined in the cab my mission was practically years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his gigantic client. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to had formerly been in part my own. "It must be recovered." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which in his hands." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just golden eyeglasses. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered husband's writing, madam." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon