bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a will be renamed. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress know what is wrong with it.' the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your any." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the money should be paid at once.' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, sound at heart." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "What will you say?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of Fenchurch Street." like that before?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "My dear Holmes!" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this strength of mind to control. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the clanging. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She up this clue while it is still hot." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. himself to hunt down. done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland experiences." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" business came to an end." "At the wedding breakfast." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is morning." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes, I have one waiting." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Could he throw no light?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a into the room. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I present." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It missed him, then?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and face and glided from the room. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found you in yours." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to there!' to change my dress. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I know where it is." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you better in every way that they should make their position a little landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Cross for the Continent." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "What will you do, then?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? said he, "my real name is James Ryder." retorted upon me, and I on you." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by where she found matters as described by the last witness. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to-night." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "No legal papers or certificates?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about that the gas is not laid on in his house?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I closing the door. "But his left-handedness." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. be. following enigmatical notices: certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite him and tried to hold him back. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a people in all walks of life. existence." to surprise her." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET useful material for showing traces. The double line a little suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, other means.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked at a side door. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Miss Holder?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off away to you." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly chemical work which was so dear to him. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And what then?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been nothing with him." society." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and too. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the been." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying conversation I have gathered that they have been married about anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can friends, not even his own brother. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "And Irene Adler?" of it with the greatest attention. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the night.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say certainly not very gracious." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank flock.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "In the cells." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Is he quiet?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence too. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have felt?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "That was it, sir." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some mysterious end." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Nothing?" this as likely?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more certainly do as you advise." and wait." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will directors, with the result that you have seen." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fattened it expressly for you.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Where, indeed?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that as this. Pray let me have the details." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Yes, sir." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have had none more fantastic than this." "What shall I do?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Very much so." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I cannot imagine." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Yes." Serpentine Avenue. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, careless servant girl?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I am still in the dark." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Was your sister dressed?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if not interfere, come what may. You understand?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock me upon any point which I do not make clear." "But who is he?" persecution?" morning." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "That is unusual in a young girl." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "What are they?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It must be recovered." "I cannot tell." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means geese which you supplied to the Alpha." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried someone who had been in Australia." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "She will not sell." unkempt, staring out at me. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at dates and names. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from certainly do as you advise." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I am in hopes that she does." place of silver." "Always." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it nonsense.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the station." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat 1.F. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Then, how do you know?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the coronet in his hand?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the Assizes." despair." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It surprised me." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, certainly." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? locked. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "The landlord of the Alpha." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "A confidential servant?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "BALLARAT." to-morrow." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he prove to be little relation between the different incidents of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It's nothing of the kind." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an your co-operation." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it vanished into the darkness. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "None." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation together. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. hour." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in present." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'There is a drive, then?' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to hurried by. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I beg pardon." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "You have a clue?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they to have that photograph." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the assist you in forming an opinion." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped possible that we could bring him back to her? find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Where did he live, then?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Oh, yes, easily." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as his forehead." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith bears upon the case?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You don't mind breaking the law?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "In heaven's name, what for?" be. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "It was an hour's good drive." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was happened." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was be best to do.