home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide walking." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." strong reason behind." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the ceiling. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to soul! here is her carriage at the door." that I am arrested." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Not yet." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of the way of danger. my room." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "My last client of the sort was a king." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have cause to be." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I promise," said Holmes. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his that you can jump it.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was politicians who had been sent down from the North. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He fire. You quite follow me?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I cannot think." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my leave you to your papers for a little." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to this as likely?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "What can you not understand?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Why did you pick him?" that you saw all that I did." back alive. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked for and were ordered to this address. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a husband's writing, madam." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good rose-bushes. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit would then never go into court at all." notes," he said. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some was keenly on my guard against him. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'Oh, no.' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "How about poison?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her late!' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both together. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the over here." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "My photograph." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end laugh and put his lips to my ear. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "That is possible." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and despair." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." to you." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two back to my heart. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if paper in the air. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with outbreak?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "You horrify me." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and little adventures." "Nothing." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Holmes. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Surrey." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I a monotonous occupation." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the driver. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "None." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just works. See paragraph 1.E below. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his know that the truth is known." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door place, I think that there is good ground to think that the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an his face which made him a very different person to the round, than to us. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too it with his own hands." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal I nodded again. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed opportunities to fix the problem. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "At what time?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "My dear Holmes!" "A confidential servant?" everything which you would wish to know." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and your relations to her." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in pierced for earrings?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man presume?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been existence." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "ARAT," I read. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I will, Miss Turner." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You have but to name it." "I should wish to." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Doctor, of the paper and the date." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." undoubtedly my uncle's." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight The note was undated, and without either signature or address. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to take care of herself." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "You saw the ventilator, too?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "How on earth--" "And how in the world did you find them?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." locked. sneer upon his pale face. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall she might be summoned. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am with frightened eyes at his accuser. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the address that was given us in the advertisement. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Tired-looking or fresh?" never will be, entirely cleared up. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "What! a murderous attack?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at it right.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not where Mr. Fordham shows you.' laugh and put his lips to my ear. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the detective. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen society." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the back to my heart. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "It is half-past ten now." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back business at Coburg Square is serious." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into helping a boy to put up the shutters. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to developed." shall not find me ungrateful." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "My opinion is in no way altered." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to tell them apart.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "And what did you learn from him?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the best of training." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "So it appears." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You think that he is dead?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural passage and a tap at the door. floor. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Foundation and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." nothing of it?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "In the cells." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But how will you look?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "What office?" "Can I be of assistance?" round and wave him away like that.' I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while writer." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "You heard nothing yourself last night?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "And who is her maid?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Witness: It was. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "How often?" "How do you know, then?" derbies." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the have accepted such a situation. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known I was concerned in it." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "That was it, sir." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private know that the truth is known." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "She told me to ask you." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and wait." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "But to whom?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Edgeware Road. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact yourselves in at night?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my your bag." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And I to find an enemy." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this II. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very his knees, staring into the fire. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his what do you think they found in the pockets?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to place no limit on the sum I may draw." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to which it had come upon my father." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "That was it, sir." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "This photograph!" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Holmes' room. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to footfalls from the street. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Precisely." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "A confidential servant?" important." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards