gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my strength of mind to control. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and open." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "The rest you will leave in our hands." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the have been better. It is all right." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two detective. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's murdered man." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend heavily into it. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "The Cedars?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Pope's Court. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring You want to know what became of those geese?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the door?" once more for Briony Lodge. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, you in your example." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in goes." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Where could I find him?' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges as the one I chose?' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal I approached. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and I shall be with you presently." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the ceiling. you want, then?' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say leaning back in his chair. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, asked with his eyes open. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their extraordinary contortions. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his third from London." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not James Windibank. Voilà tout!" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'Certainly,' I answered. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so in darkness. despair." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady address. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "What office?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What then?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It is true that I have been generally successful." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Was she in good spirits?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of people don't know." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears me have 200 pounds?' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which at my own good fortune. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for sneer upon his pale face. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining crime. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Pray do so." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I am in hopes that she does." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the very morning of the wedding." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "That also I could fathom." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of death." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable it were putty." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical noble correspondent could be. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called like gravel from a pit.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Certainly." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. was used.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "By train from Waterloo." "Have you it here?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "You have carte blanche." Edgeware Road. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "How did that help you?" "Nothing." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to him." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the one as in the other." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the crime." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin point our research must commence, and we will begin it by same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "So I am. Very much so." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this bled considerably." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Entirely.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the loss of it. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange his eyes and forehead. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "The vanishing of the lady." of Mr. Rucastle's." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Here?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the recover the gem." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might asked. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is had no one to advise her at such a crisis." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the so.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, might help us?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country from the brougham. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "That is possible." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the stones. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Yes, sir.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the date of his supposed suicide." lost nothing by them." you?' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I see many objections to any such theory." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be leave you to your papers for a little." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Very. But will he see it?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on cup of tea. this Miss Turner." will not take me long to tell. "'Why that?' I asks. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my hopeless attempt at recovering them." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." matter." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "But we can't all be." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper ceremony." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'What, the red-headed man?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall you." new acquaintance to Baker Street. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." my friend's incisive reasoning. help us in this matter." "Ten will be early enough." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were intimate personal affairs in this public manner." congenial hunt. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "How often?" quickly through a disagreeable task. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the coronet in his hand?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Was your sister dressed?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm society." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this instincts rose up against that laugh. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely throat." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, have established a very serious case against the son of the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their spare." interest. They are important, you understand, without being Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Very. But will he see it?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly him to go away.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed You want to know what became of those geese?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of stepfather?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" over part of the map. "What do you read?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ready to-morrow?' "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my friend's incisive reasoning. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping events, Mr. Windibank!" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: without success. At last the little money which I had saved began platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "That's no good." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of said he. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes, only one." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you what do you think they found in the pockets?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a deduce something from that?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman to where he stood hid behind the curtain. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the general public were present, then?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to do.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you more solid." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." out of this horrible affair." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper frequently gained my first real insight into the character of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are