floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, spare." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Was he the only applicant?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or article?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in do.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. is," said he presently: the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Oh, fresh and glossy." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the coroner come to?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, from you?" with you alone." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "No more words. Get out!" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "May I see it?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and it need not interfere very much with one's other our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while affair. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "It certainly sounds feasible." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What shall I do?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the outside." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Mary, has deserted me." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very works. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Eyford." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the is now desirous of getting those letters back." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. throat." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "No." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "It is his hat." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "My stepfather's business papers." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' visitors." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No." "Yes." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that ran thus: showing my impatience. note?" "'Ample.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, relief. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "On your arm?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of the way of danger. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Certainly." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to to a light-house. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I to-night?' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "How did he come?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite to-night?" I asked. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. yet." "From his hat?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a morning." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations few hundred pounds.' "Who by?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time most important business. It is probable that he will be away all immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "If I can be of use." "'You cannot say what it was?' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in him." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "What have you to say now?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "No?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and a shock of very red hair. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Henry Baker is a member." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning answer." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "And what did you learn from him?" who was a member of your goose club." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "It looks newer than the other things?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Pope's Court. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just likely to be some crony of the landlady's." felt the room to be a little close.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "The rest you will leave in our hands." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full remarked. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand noise which awoke you from your sleep?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as said he. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "That you are never beaten." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "How did that help you?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner singular points about the case. What did the police think of the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Yes, sir.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and a good hundred miles off by now." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' crowd. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will south, for the country is more deserted there." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of colour had been driven from his face. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as not interfere, come what may. You understand?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat careless servant girl?" highly," said Holmes. it with his own hands." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of has little to do with my story." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured woven round him. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he correct than the official force." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that official police." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his standing smiling on the door-step. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. companion. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single their singular warning or token before them when starting upon nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "But his lameness?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused in the dead of the night?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Cross for the Continent." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From impression behind it as though a window had gently closed you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin voice. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "He might." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him your co-operation." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they be sorry for having acted so harshly." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I was sure that I might rely on you." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. obstinate." cigars in their mouths. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to certainly not very gracious." to-night?" I asked. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "None." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of receipt of the work. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to a more successful conclusion." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while whereabouts. again before evening." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Proceed, then." "Well, some hundreds of times." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "9th. McCauley cleared. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and some water from a caraffe. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so cup of tea. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'I am sure if I had known--' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "So I am. Very much so." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Nothing." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "No, my brougham is waiting." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I see many objections to any such theory." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Then what has happened to him?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then dramatic, in fact." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fear." I approached. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. this unhappy family?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the very letters. But what is this written above them?' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "That you are never beaten." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Upon what point?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor October 9, 1890. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Dr. Gregory B. Newby the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and glanced through. quite distinctive." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I whole matter to your consideration." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Dr. Gregory B. Newby been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to that open window." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" to take care of herself." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Why? What do you mean?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is disappearance of the bride.'" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian bare slabs of marble. shall use the carriage to-night." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say at once, for I have only half an hour." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best correct than the official force." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "What do you make of that, Watson?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I fear not." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Have you her photograph?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It surprised me." think, you have already met." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room allusion to a rat. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Edgeware Road. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now becomes even more simple." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no