Foundation you came in." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view problems help me to do so." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my I approached. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I have come for advice." compunction about shooting them down." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding generous with you in money matters.' there is a decided draught." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Imitated." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Have you her photograph?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "A greater distance to travel." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his wife has ceased to love him." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I before, for it was considerably after midnight. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Yes, all." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "And leave your case unfinished?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "No good news?" enter into my head. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters public press." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "That you are never beaten." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I upon a handsome competence. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I should wish to." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I stammered. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man The summons was a brief and urgent one. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from there!' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near of Fenchurch Street." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with read it out to me." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Was there a secret marriage?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned to talk it over. mysterious end." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I assure you that I am in your hands." the station." "Who by?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to front of me. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Yes." noble correspondent could be. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." is," said he presently: with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, in his hands." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! husband's writing, madam." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I will do it." such attractions and accomplishments?' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my rose-bushes. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "My photograph." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "To the police?" be there in time for your coming." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my down in his armchair and closing his eyes. third from London." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "No." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year not as remarkable as your advertisement." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small grasp, he hurried from the room. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was appointment with me for six o'clock?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as when you have done it." felt?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Yes, that is the Crown." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed appeared upon the scene." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so father's young wife. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes." "Yes, from Horsham." "And now?" I asked. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The Coroner: What do you mean? I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest manager. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does coroner's jury." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the despair." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable DISSOLVED. next day. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Pool. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "VIOLET HUNTER." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see article?" plantation.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the there." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am hour?' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "What I expected to see." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was not personally threatened." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather as noiselessly as she had come. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. little trying to do so much typewriting?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. arrangements." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I cannot tell." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. door?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when legal crime." followed. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my questionable one." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'About the same.' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "In what way?" asked Holmes. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened that he will be back before evening." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and used to be." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Where to?' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and think that any burglar could have done. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "How on earth--" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation particular state visit http://pglaf.org itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the station." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it families. Now for the facts. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I will get her to show me." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE matter." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It is solved." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to have been novel and of interest." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself second." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday man. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge people in all walks of life. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. window when the police appeared." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I am sure." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes, but only for you and me." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the few hundred pounds.' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble his face which made him a very different person to the round, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Pray tell us what has happened to you." have one." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his of his shoulders. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this This is what he says: "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a man. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Of what day?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to his forehead." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained possible that we could bring him back to her? office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You have a clue?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not pressing in one house as in another. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one outside." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to indeed happy." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'You cannot say what it was?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Not him." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his any." "Yes, sir." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see crime. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the remarked. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'You cannot say what it was?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "And now?" I asked. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Precisely." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the pound a week." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to cheerful." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "There is the writing." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Which are?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than ventilator." to miss it." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the returning from some small jollification and was making his way are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Why that?' I asks. "Yes?" "I answered that I had not. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. of this gang." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two system of imprisonment?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "A call for help, you thought?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches man. I know him from the photograph." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I posted to-day." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?"