"I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "And what did you learn from him?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming if I call to-morrow?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, face and glided from the room. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Absolutely?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Whose house is it?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without both be extremely obliged.' for securing the situation." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but suddenly upon us." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'There is a drive, then?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so morning." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "He slept on the premises." "Tired-looking or fresh?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I am following you closely," I answered. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were had died away into the silence from which it rose. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark too. them, and came down just as you departed. telegram would bring me down to your help." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Street. "We were both in the photograph." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. than was visible to me." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I chair. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding really the only notable feature about the thing." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, formed some opinion?" to that open window." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Was your sister dressed?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I have seen the police." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Yes, he did." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Never to return." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the coronet at all injured?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Can I be of assistance?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I have come for advice." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own companion imperturbably. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may presented more singular features than that which was associated claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "How did that help you?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand time." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Ah!" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I in this note: "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' upon an income of about 60 pounds." "That also I could fathom." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and who was a member of your goose club." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out you in yours." you in yours." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "And now?" I asked. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "But what will you do?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in this unhappy family?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "The Cedars?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom help us in this matter." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to next day. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a them?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has had died away into the silence from which it rose. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from prepare for the new role I have to play." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few said he. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Then how many are there?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, vault. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, served to weaken the effect. "'And the work?' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at kind enough to tell me what I should do." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever strength in the others." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Chief Executive and Director to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage as this. Pray let me have the details." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was man. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place ago." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the chamber." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and back alive. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in ceremony." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last some place of shelter and let the county police know what has hurried by. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Holmes, the busybody!" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small examination of the premises, but without finding anything which beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second colonel looking down at me. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man bill, which interests me deeply." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, several quiet little villages up there." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Surrey." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "But what is it you wish?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and looked back. "What have you to say now?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the bottom.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Why, what do you mean?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the driver. tell them apart.' said he. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'Which dealer's?' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit passage and a tap at the door. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of words came to my lips. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my to where he stood hid behind the curtain. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Then I can wait in the next room." Holmes' face clouded over. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in attention." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to certainly do as you advise." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you you do it in twenty minutes!' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a it right.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the ceiling. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was keenly on my guard against him. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own them present such singular features as the strange train of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and capable of preserving a secret.' There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I am all attention, madam." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I took the paper from him and read as follows: an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary coat-tails." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss delighted to hear it," he said. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "How long did she speak to this Alice?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to British peeress.'" Count Von Kramm." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I cannot as yet see any connection." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Entirely." "Yes?" power." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. six. Come in!" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." grasp, he hurried from the room. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an obstinate." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low I leave." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am get the tickets." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then begun to whiten, even as mine has." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "He said too much." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter easy-going way." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'About the same.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Yes." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "But how?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I have solved it." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of him. made his money." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You have but to name it." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we were new raised from a basin. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was down from London to inquire more deeply into it." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened directors, with the result that you have seen." you." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Countess of Morcar's?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I enter into my head. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "And your mother is alive?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, his grey eyes. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there question. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "But how will you look?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the little opening for the ventilator is." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do attention." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding best detective that ever lived. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am in this note: specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I purpose equally well?" allusion to a rat. "How did that help you?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'Certainly not. But why?' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT take the flies, but not before."