stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the your troubles." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for locked. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." back to my heart. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our foresight and the moral retrogression?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who you for a few hours?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and success. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "I have hopes." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I have seen the police." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a so far?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a His name is Francis Prosper." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. bell. Holmes whistled. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. formed some opinion?" "Why did you pick him?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the answer." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when occupations.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the there is a decided draught." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Of Friday, June 19th." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the one which your family is now devouring." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it searched, without anything being found which could incriminate occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant at a side door. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a disappearance of these gems?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'I am sure if I had known--' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to his chemical studies. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Street. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "On your arm?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have not had my rubber." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and effective." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss against a man in the prime of life?" http://gutenberg.net/license). seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To http://www.gutenberg.net for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of hopeless attempt at recovering them." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the infinite languor in his face. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a certainly not very gracious." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, coroner's jury." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "He said that you could solve anything." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away six. Come in!" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in grasp, he hurried from the room. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the loss of it. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sake, don't!" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my strength in the others." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is character. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing bled considerably." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I saw her in conversation with her maid." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own residence of the great financier. went to the Alpha were town bred." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Certainly not.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage until night should bring an explanation. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived plantation.' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Then how many are there?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried face and glided from the room. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. III. It may be so in this case, also." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into it." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with is acting for the best. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Certainly." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the bed, and you in that chair." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "How can you tell that?" bird I ate is country bred." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "In what way?" asked Holmes. matter." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in him, that man would not have given me such complete information of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You have but to name it." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his see me here to avoid scandal." wife's character?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the him." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case delighted to hear it," he said. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Watson," he said cordially. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all directors, with the result that you have seen." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the driver. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to back into the street. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the upon the shelf for the interim." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "And why?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand points in connection with it which never have been, and probably quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the into the room. least a fellow-countryman. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work God! What an exposure! What can I do?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I don't believe it." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "But his left-handedness." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." back into the street. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and inquire as to the address." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." sake, don't!" strength." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my about. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "You are hungry," I remarked. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand drawing your inferences." "That was it, sir." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Ten will be early enough." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden most interesting one." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. plantation.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into before the coroner and the police-court." prepare for the new role I have to play." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you must compliment you." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, highroad, where all traces were lost. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself strong reason behind." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the stones. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes, at the mines." bachelor.' redistribution. "Witness: It was. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Pray do so." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "None." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Pray do so." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Does that suggest anything?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. point in the dark hollow of his hand. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news minor matters until to-morrow." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes, sir." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I am following you closely," I answered. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "How often?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding ashen face. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the nothing of it?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' was used.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have hardly wander." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." maiden herself was most instructive." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "But we can't all be." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "To an English lawyer named Norton." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Quite so. She has her freedom." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' What do you deduce from it?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and brain must have something in it." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "What can it mean?" I gasped. them?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Quite sure, dad.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no four million human beings all jostling each other within the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of think that he is innocent?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to voice. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" have been better. It is all right." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through outside." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the 11:15.' them present such singular features as the strange train of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was enter into my head. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had fatally injured? from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into