attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'In my own bureau.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of extraordinary contortions. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a have established a very serious case against the son of the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and from the brougham. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open it means?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I never came back." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day happened." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual long narrative. true." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Yes, sir.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until purpose equally well?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small definite end. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging be best to do. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his was keenly on my guard against him. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You have a clue?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a chance at all." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the extraordinary contortions. "Ample." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "No?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last thin, with a long, sharp nose?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Did he not advertise?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most one of them." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "In the cells." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 wedding?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "You think so, too?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to time." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the so-precious time, but come!' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. writer." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "What!" he roared. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon country, and eventually married, without anyone having a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Then I do not see the point." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "What of the rat, then?" "Won't it ring?" do.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And how have you succeeded?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, you?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss to tell." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "A greater distance to travel." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Who was the criminal, then?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred all?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It is possible." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I am in hopes that she does." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other conclusions. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are hopeless attempt at recovering them." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was drove away. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got words came to my lips. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my be sorry for having acted so harshly." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'As governess?' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and all of them with the keenest interest. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Then, how do you know?" the night.' "Absolutely?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between round and wave him away like that.' "An enemy?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." acquaintance?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Ample." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it rat could hardly pass through." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Were they all fastened this morning?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that characteristics, but those are the more obvious." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I that I may have something better before very many minutes are the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Literary Archive Foundation you want, then?' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as three of the beryls in it, was missing. and glanced through. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry past. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "My dear Holmes!" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Breckinridge is his name." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove fasten all the windows?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Lestrade of Scotland Yard." were new raised from a basin. "None." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Which are?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the Assizes." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock feature." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master dramatic, in fact." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, from Horsham." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all furiously. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "But to whom?" in my life." she might be summoned. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought your room." you understand?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, I. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for congenial hunt. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "When did she vanish, then?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, stammered. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." manager. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "To ruin me." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we could gather together that I was able to avert another public these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "My stepfather's business papers." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Holmes, the busybody!" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the roots. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his really the only notable feature about the thing." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he again before evening." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about clanging. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "9th. McCauley cleared. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled in this way: apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never door?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Holmes rather sternly. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Certainly, madam." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "What then?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free observed. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, all." "She showed me, as I told you she would." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. burst out into a roar of laughter. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ceremony." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some points in connection with it which never have been, and probably thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Foundation blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "One of the highest in England." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest were wasted." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. written. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "And when will you call?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "How did he come?" the devil!" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I acted in my house last night?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my little problems." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen that the gas is not laid on in his house?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Which are?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'Is purely nominal.' his knees, staring into the fire. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case always that they were such commands as a lady might with "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not room had already been engaged for us. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right would then never go into court at all." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. was it brought him the coronet? that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no occurred." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be weapon." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very