tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Where to?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which our visitor detailed to us. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I But Holmes shook his head gravely. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Yes." views." "It must be recovered." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire your only hope of safety." strength." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out learned something! Where are the gems?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "At what time?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "One?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide sentimental considerations in the background which would induce again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I have seen the police." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Where could I find him?' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of your young ladies.' mysterious business." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I am all attention, madam." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Arthur Conan Doyle thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his back alive. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Quite so." all that?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy weapon." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Not particularly." the Red-headed League." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the better in every way that they should make their position a little Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the was a lad." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Do you know him?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a maid will bring up your coffee." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already man. I know him from the photograph." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "The best possible." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that there was nothing in it, after all." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I am sure." that threaten you." leave you to your papers for a little." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and bird of prey. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was three fields round his house, and there he would take his be best to do. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "That is also quite modern," said the lady. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "It certainly sounds feasible." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself stood on the top of it. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "How on earth--" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he point in the dark hollow of his hand. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." washing it down with a long draught of water. "Where did he live, then?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "And the cigar-holder?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His danger is over." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was a lad." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Oh, no.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Ample." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a promised to bring home. "What do you make of that, Watson?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Who was the criminal, then?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the lamp in his hand. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away distance from the station, and there we found the young lady frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I think that I could be of assistance to you." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "One?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. bill, which interests me deeply." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there begin with, and I had not got mine yet." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have indeed happy." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor south, for the country is more deserted there." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we down from London to inquire more deeply into it." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. leave you to your papers for a little." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the time." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "How about poison?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "It was a confession," I ejaculated. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "In heaven's name, what for?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Your presence might be invaluable." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Yes." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of points to suicide?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the emerged. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers putting in the horse. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet advice." "You know me, then?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was all?" compunction about shooting them down." "To an end?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Upon what point?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general to arrive at through this?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Quite sure, dad.' "Stolen, then." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders approach us with offers to donate. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would tightly behind him. "The landlord of the Alpha." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' in darkness. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Do you go out much in society?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, happened." "I answered that I had not. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. you." the matter?" Munro.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, hour." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to maid will bring up your coffee." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, round and wave him away like that.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both door?" was feeling which was the fattest.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which down from London to inquire more deeply into it." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon lectures into a series of tales." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little ready to-morrow?' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back appointment with me for six o'clock?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography village inn over there?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of this gang." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed formed some opinion?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "No more words. Get out!" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from wedding?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "No more words. Get out!" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a present." hands. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you man. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to change my dress. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself have had none more fantastic than this." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." opened the door, and slipped through. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. you." Does that suggest anything?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both in this note: was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. situation." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Heh?' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I have come for advice." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. one of them." "At what time?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Yes." "My private note-paper." to arrive at through this?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has ashen face. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I have hopes." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and side. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic depend upon my doing so.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What individual and becomes the badge of a society." Arthur Conan Doyle away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'As governess?' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "And it is--" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Not I." "In answer to an advertisement." not as remarkable as your advertisement." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. figure." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. States. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the station." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know at my remark. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, child?' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if