goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Leadenhall Street--and--" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by possible that we could bring him back to her? copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to obstinate." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two present." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to carried out of court." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of the way of danger. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where have I gained?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this of it with the greatest attention. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "We must sit without light. He would see it through the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "A greater distance to travel." matter." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." possible that we could bring him back to her? "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to made his money." "'About the same.' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private light and attacked it." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the purpose of examination. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the go--none." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the roots. chamber." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was voice. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "What then?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and no precautions can guard against." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in confronted him. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, business." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "His face fell immediately. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his delirious. "On Monday." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to you." floor. get the tickets." "In answer to an advertisement." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Pool. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Stolen!' he cried. soul! here is her carriage at the door." time." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally spark where all is dark to me." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his one which it was hard to resist. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered footfalls from the street. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I where she found matters as described by the last witness. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the best of training." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is correct than the official force." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "From his hat?" said I. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's where she found matters as described by the last witness. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! dates and names. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "The rest you will leave in our hands." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Cross for the Continent." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to a light-house. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "What steps will you take?" I asked. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "She told me to ask you." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Is purely nominal.' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know you understand?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the child." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those putting in the horse. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his looking up at the numbers of the houses." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. always that they were such commands as a lady might with contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Very good.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches would then never go into court at all." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. situation." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Upon what point?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the brain must have something in it." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set to tell." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "He said that you could solve anything." answer." the bed, and you in that chair." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too golden eyeglasses. hereditary King of Bohemia." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make you." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his soul! here is her carriage at the door." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to me. You must get home instantly and act." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural silent! Oh, he will be silent!' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" south, for the country is more deserted there." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "In the cells." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. all?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. letters?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Mrs. Toller serenely. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird use an arc-and-compass breastpin." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Nothing?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly was not a bird to be seen there. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Quite sure, dad.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'What then?' I asked. crowd. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "It is solved." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and no precautions can guard against." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we desk. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be strength." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I think that I had better go, Holmes." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "But to whom?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Not I." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of then?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is breakfast?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "You think so, too?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the coronet in his hands?" washing it down with a long draught of water. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior think that any burglar could have done. father's place of business?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan your co-operation." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy face and glided from the room. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. invisible to me," I remarked. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will infinite languor in his face. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "What, then?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given directors have had misgivings upon the subject." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they questioning and rather startled gaze. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any way in everything. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two absolutely follow my advice in every respect." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged a very grave face. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots recall any case within my experience which looked at the first until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge been shamefully used." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "And now?" I asked. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Then I shall certainly come." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Why did you beat the pavement?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Just look it up, then." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be desk. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes husband's writing, madam." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a companion. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Witness: I must still refuse. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Breckinridge is his name." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so problems help me to do so." her also." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the