"And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "BALLARAT." minor matters until to-morrow." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so will he say when he returns?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hurried by. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, from the brougham. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to happened." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we ordinary clothes on?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "What then?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing happened." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I should be taken.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more mystery!" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, trying to your nerves." to surprise her." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my instituted." "Where, then, is my wife?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to-night's adventure." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our is a common subject for conversation. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. photograph a cabinet?" "Deserted you?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "My dear Holmes!" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my my little problems." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "He said too much." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Serpentine Avenue. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my his wife has ceased to love him." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away union?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the address. at my own good fortune. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any third from London." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to go into your room and bar your shutters?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was flock.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are how narrow had been my escape. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and capable of preserving a secret.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked just called myself is not exactly my own." occurred." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Holmes." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Edgeware Road. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." least a fellow-countryman. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "It is possible." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would morning." "He is still with you, I presume?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in a monotonous occupation." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging examination of the premises, but without finding anything which thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg she might be summoned. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the address that was given us in the advertisement. individual and becomes the badge of a society." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and be. beyond words. hour." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "The rest you will leave in our hands." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to change my dress. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the You want to know what became of those geese?" hour?' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had arrangements." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I was not a bird to be seen there. "There is the writing." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a point in the dark hollow of his hand. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my nothing with him." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But you were on a friendly footing?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yes, he did." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very seem to you to be relevant or not." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and to a more successful conclusion." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Count Von Kramm." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove have been better. It is all right." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair bedroom door." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Yes.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Pray continue your narrative." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "And did you observe any change in her then?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, from Horsham." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And how did you verify them?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere corner of the building. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you remarked. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I am still in the dark." "By no means." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Has he come with you to-night?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she you in yours." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Dr. Becher's." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, said he. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." shoulder; "he's all right." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the breakfast?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Come in!" said Holmes. question," said Holmes, smiling. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. redistribution. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his companion quietly. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most which was all perfectly true. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to that open window." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Murdered?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Quite so." "Witness: It was. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love outsides of the windows. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I don't believe it." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Lee, in the county of Kent." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical a room. events, Mr. Windibank!" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that face and glided from the room. already been minutely examined." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "That is also quite modern," said the lady. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At carpenter." electronic works of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily your own bird, so if you wish--" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "No good news?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. later, upon the night of May 2nd." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you from the brougham. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the coronet in his hands?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this occurred." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and digesting their breakfasts at home." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the cigar and let me expound." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly daring than any effort of the imagination." "'I am sure if I had known--' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "It is a murder, then?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, once more to my work. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it was lame." works. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I me where it went to?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "But she could not love him." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Was there a secret marriage?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man place, I think that there is good ground to think that the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to even of instruction." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be window when the police appeared." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" only touch the interest." call you and give you the chance." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence