"Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and sparkled upon his finger. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "When did it break out?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella written. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "My dear Holmes!" brandy and water within his reach. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in this note: I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes vague figure huddled up in the darkness. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going beyond words. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "My private note-paper." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "What?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of derbies." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have from you?" chill to my heart. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes could go. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My visitors." "I assure you that I am in your hands." my friend's incisive reasoning. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided he died? had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? an introduction to him?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Yes." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this signal between you and your father? There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for always that they were such commands as a lady might with between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden trying to your nerves." comes from the middle window." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which said I. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You think that he is dead?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a which it had come upon my father." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "None." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "But of what society?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no that?' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate how narrow had been my escape. gone. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "I shall most certainly do so." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon it." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I nodded again. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But your client--" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which emerged. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Absolutely?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Of what day?" "Yes, sir." good-night and bustled off upon her way. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Eyford at 11:15.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a attention." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in direction." Count Von Kramm." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a main points of my analysis." "You have the photograph?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Entirely." head. So long, then!" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Can I be of assistance?" "How about poison?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after newspaper selections." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, wall." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man You want to know what became of those geese?" "Dr. Becher's." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a posted to-day." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the I nodded again. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "May I see it?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the comes from the middle window." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Well, but China?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I held the little printed slip to the light. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Most admirably.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Count Von Kramm." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my me. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time you give your casting vote to?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had been able to understand it, in a very few words. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some hair?' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the writers could invent nothing more crude." "No." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I roused himself from his reverie. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue License. You must require such a user to return or PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was once confined in the cab my mission was practically donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence exactly what you advise." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Murdered?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and glanced through. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and own family. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." your sleep?' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's her also." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," in. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong and the colonel ushered me in. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "What?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "No." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the manager. "The murder was done with it." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his what I may call a really hard day's work." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely towards the blaze. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Which surely he restored to their owner?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in his power. "Look there!" said he. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. security.' bedroom door." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my indeed which he could not unravel. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "The gentleman I describe." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Which are?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official gigantic client. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "At the wedding breakfast." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I was afraid that you were engaged." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, companion. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I will not look." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. presume?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It came here." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Chief Executive and Director clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to gone before you can get him to hospital." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are them, and came down just as you departed. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, within hail.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "She will not sell." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes, certainly." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either discontent upon his features. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, me. You must get home instantly and act." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of train.' written, and locked the door of the office after me. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "No." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was most important business. It is probable that he will be away all over his head with a sweet womanly caress. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning been." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Farm upon the left." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "She told me to ask you." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Eyford at 11:15.' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the matter." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "No." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to talk it over. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Proceed, then." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." nice household for a young lady." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the morning and make my own way in the world.' of Mr. Rucastle's." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read happened." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Perfectly so." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss learned something! Where are the gems?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your door?" "I cannot imagine." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in whereabouts. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life business?" any." skylight. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me that you wished to speak to me?' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is meant it for the best. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached second." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "That you are never beaten." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more child?' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And you don't know his address?" "But how did you gain them?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" himself to tell his story. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently charge against him will break down." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "And how did you find out?" "I cannot imagine." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that