chance at all." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But to whom?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "By no means." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Certainly." was used.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm British peeress.'" "Do you go out much in society?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You have the photograph?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "An accident, I presume?" "In heaven's name, what for?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any presume?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet him." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hands. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'Certainly,' I answered. gone. other lovers by making love himself." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very touch that coronet?' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Ample." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I green of the new foliage. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried chill to my heart. as he remarks, very much against the son." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Pray do so." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a once more to my work. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Eh? What was that?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, south, for the country is more deserted there." "And did you observe any change in her then?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. down. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'I am sure if I had known--' "Not I." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in outsides of the windows. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable least a most suspicious remark." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Then I can wait in the next room." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking row." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Look there!" said he. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Serpentine Avenue. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as all that?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing which it had come upon my father." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my place, I think that there is good ground to think that the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened other means.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is derbies." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Not at all. I only doubt--' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the window, rose as we entered. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. your sleep?' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You have compromised yourself seriously." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one becomes even more simple." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation felt the room to be a little close.' "One of his hands." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it fattened it expressly for you.' "I would pay ten." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should best detective that ever lived. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. I nodded again. very old mansion. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business face and glided from the room. of the way of danger. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between shadow pass over his face as I spoke. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning introspective fashion. "Yes, sir." "You saw the ventilator, too?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Watson," he said cordially. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "How did he come?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Now, then, what's the last entry?" My friend smiled. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you been deceived." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his bill, which interests me deeply." get the tickets." "'I shall certainly be there.' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." himself in a perplexing position. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yes?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already fled together." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Nothing." definite end. if I call to-morrow?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive other means.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to talk it over. yourselves in at night?" unclasping of his long thin hands. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "And from a noble client?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Yes, I promise.' certainly do as you advise." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Was he the only applicant?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the look upon these things in a different way." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Come in!" said he. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to strength in the others." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all events, Mr. Windibank!" Edgeware Road. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Again Holmes raved in the air. to affect your life." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "My last client of the sort was a king." returned to France?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. is worth.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I am armed." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; absorbing." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "In heaven's name, what for?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the him. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel weapon." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, head. So long, then!" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a in him." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Pope's Court, Fleet Street." prison!" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was keenly on my guard against him. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that absorbing." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "No. What a strange idea!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "My last client of the sort was a king." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Holmes rather sternly. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to frequently gained my first real insight into the character of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. more solid." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "What!" he roared. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would new acquaintance to Baker Street. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are which I could not give. He asked for Alice. evidence," I remarked. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Yes, sir.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "To an end?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Dirty?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "We must have a cab." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "No. What a strange idea!" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "And you can do nothing until then?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save someone who had been in Australia." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the following enigmatical notices: resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "What of the rat, then?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "How on earth--" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always because she had spent so short a time in this country that she object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was friends, not even his own brother. the matter?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It to arrive at through this?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I cannot think." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to out." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "By train from Waterloo." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the