possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "And that is--" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is child?' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, more solid." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." him!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Holmes' room. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in just ask you whether you had heard it.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I have a cab outside." But Holmes shook his head gravely. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And I say east," said my patient. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Not I." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's spare." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in burst out into a roar of laughter. and have this put in the evening papers." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Sholtos." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of this gang." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I cheerful." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a me have 200 pounds?' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and the church but not where the lady lived." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Yes, it would be as well." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "How are you getting on?" again, where I was soon asleep. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided useful material for showing traces. The double line a little after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon anything to do with the matter?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it were putty." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have threw himself down with his face to the pillow. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the shall use the carriage to-night." overpowering excitement and concern. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of someone who had been in Australia." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his knees, staring into the fire. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Munro.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I will not look." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain awkward doing business with an alias." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the coroner come to?" "No, my brougham is waiting." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Street. not, dad?" she asked. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps evidence," I remarked. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was should be so warm over such a trifle." is a common subject for conversation. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Very truly yours, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Was she in good spirits?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "My dear Holmes!" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he you came in." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Never to return." "But your client--" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman you?' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Very good.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of it with the greatest attention. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my tightly behind him. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could orange pips. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the call the police, let the police find what they can.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a next day. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can spare." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed particular state visit http://pglaf.org intimate personal affairs in this public manner." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "And now?" He raised his hand. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the extraordinary contortions. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive business came to an end." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which round with crates and massive boxes. voice, changing her seat as requested. http://www.gutenberg.net four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Yes, at the mines." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she he died? the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some into the bag, and made for the door. strength." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She plantation.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "The King of Scandinavia." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "My dear Holmes!" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman soul! here is her carriage at the door." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "What have you done?" asked Holmes. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable hereditary King of Bohemia." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Does that suggest anything?" way in everything. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered stepfather?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been have not had my rubber." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' this as likely?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the father's place of business?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Did he not advertise?" "Entirely." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fait accompli?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet secret." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "And for present expenses?" night.' said he. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Where, then, is my wife?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the window, rose as we entered. promised to bring home. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the running down." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he said I. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' suddenly upon us." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think them, and came down just as you departed. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon garden below. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate ran thus: paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and that there was nothing in it, after all." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at DISSOLVED. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'I shall certainly be there.' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. was lame." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "And you don't know his address?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so detained." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Farm upon the left." "How did he come?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it straightened it out again. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his mysterious business." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some enter Dr. Roylott's room." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light of Mr. Rucastle's." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I cannot say that I have." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should I nodded to show that I had heard. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very attention." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even bill, which interests me deeply." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was shining brightly. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her seen the man in the road." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Absolutely?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Why did you beat the pavement?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and all of them with the keenest interest. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the if only as a check to my own memory." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case companion imperturbably. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural kindly on the shoulder. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It's nothing of the kind." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "He is dead," cried several voices. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the roots. outside. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." I think that I could be of assistance to you." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, him and tried to hold him back. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to talk it over. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "And sit in the dark?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler not come at once?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I think it very unlikely." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat clanging. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of it with the greatest attention. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held retorted upon me, and I on you." I was concerned in it." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the