revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I do." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It is possible." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "This concluded the examination of the witness." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His as the one I chose?' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings ventilator." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and companion quietly. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "And why?" "I see many objections to any such theory." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I soul! here is her carriage at the door." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to three of the beryls in it, was missing. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which always that they were such commands as a lady might with As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Stoke Moran?" said he. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "But we can't all be." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of the one which your family is now devouring." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin look upon these things in a different way." emerged. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the examine." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to to me. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and persecution?" "Oh, yes, easily." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. depend upon your compliance." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." it. said he at last. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester fashion which was peculiar to him. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it carried out of court." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. all?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of cigars in their mouths. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the ashen face. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the confronted him. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Very well, sir. And this stone?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood very morning of my second wedding." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" I nodded again. than to us. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "It was an hour's good drive." Farm upon the left." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and handed it to him. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by remarked. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very flock.' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the night.' go--none." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet said he. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and your relations to her." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have occurred." "I cannot say that I have." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "None." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Why, what do you mean?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only which I could not give. He asked for Alice. all?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" disturbance in my wife." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the running down." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and His name is Francis Prosper." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable meant it for the best. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "How many? I don't know." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' even of instruction." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel country, and eventually married, without anyone having a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains do you make of it all?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner this poor creature." His name is Francis Prosper." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Pray do so." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Texas, I think." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "And your mother is alive?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Breckinridge is his name." stood on the top of it. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Then you may entirely rely on me." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Miss Holder?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. to-night?" I asked. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'What, the red-headed man?' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge hands. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have desk. the date of his supposed suicide." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "It's nothing of the kind." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the hour." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "It is possible." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'There is a drive, then?' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Then let me do so?' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining own family. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which conversation I have gathered that they have been married about its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Henry Baker is a member." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." case before our client came into the room." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No, I think that I'll take it." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to brandy and water within his reach. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom on re-entering her father's house?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Certainly." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had you want, then?' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "One of his hands." up this clue while it is still hot." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune delirious. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin like gravel from a pit.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I tapping his fingers upon the table. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest in this note: remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. plantation.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I leaning back in his chair. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your humiliation." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Your French gold?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Yes, sir.' eavesdroppers?' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited infinite languor in his face. "What have you to say now?" "VIOLET HUNTER." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Quite so. She has her freedom." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Where to?' "But his left-handedness." asked. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we himself. Chief Executive and Director "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me paper in the air. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "That also I could fathom." my secret was safe in his possession. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon may never be exposed to such a temptation." dates and names. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I was afraid that you were engaged." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to unkempt, staring out at me. there when the Rucastles went away." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "No legal papers or certificates?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely said he. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and a shock of very red hair. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "At half-wages, in fact." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Not particularly." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Quite so." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of it with the greatest attention. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Now, then, what's the last entry?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Dirty?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Yes, but only for you and me." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "What will you say?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was him, that man would not have given me such complete information girl said." face and glided from the room. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "At half-wages, in fact." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then is worth.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." call you and give you the chance." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which head. So long, then!" cost them two and thirty pounds." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch article?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is 11:15.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in him." "Why did you pick him?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of row." "'Where could I find him?' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Eh? What was that?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom entirely lost his self-respect." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always anything to do with the matter?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father hair?' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, forehead. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very stood on the top of it. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You were travelling in the States?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle ran thus: "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to some other building. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is