if only as a check to my own memory." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Imitated." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was exactly what you advise." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'As governess?' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "He slept on the premises." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. she might be summoned. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the stable lane now." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and your relations to her." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Of Friday, June 19th." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which was all perfectly true. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Dark enough and sinister enough." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'What then?' I asked. and capable of preserving a secret.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the stable lane now." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Yes.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been were unconscious?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was your most interesting statement." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and whether it answered to the description of any of their which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was keenly on my guard against him. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "He is still with you, I presume?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, drove away. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton despaired of." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few situation." despair." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my companion quietly. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce father's place of business?" "And when will you call?" "I have a cab outside." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What crackling voice. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and the whole place is in a blaze." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the address. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to should be taken.' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one woven round him. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But never to learn it at all." green of the new foliage. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an him to be an active member of the medical profession." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here bird of prey. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Lee, in the county of Kent." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "What have you done?" asked Holmes. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not papers diligently of late, have you not?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "His face fell immediately. like that before?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had place of silver." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the galvanised. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his over with notes and figures. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was October 9, 1890. highroad, where all traces were lost. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than if only as a check to my own memory." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "No. What a strange idea!" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my furiously. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "They are typewritten," I remarked. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method your most interesting statement." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the coronet at all injured?" and looked back. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to surprise her." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott go--none." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Most admirably.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand examine." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting enter Dr. Roylott's room." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "He is still with you, I presume?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told my room." bird I ate is country bred." Mary, has deserted me." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "It certainly sounds feasible." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and for securing the situation." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, during which he might have communicated with his friend the hurried by. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a This is what he says: are windows in it, of course?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which pound a week." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than with her." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. power." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Street. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided past. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be whatever might befall. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Gutenberg-tm License. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "So I heard. You have him here?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Quite so. She has her freedom." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, attention." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some said he. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Clair, of Lee." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "You know me, then?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was room?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Two days later this same performance was gone through under might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. excitement. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of this gang." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a like that before?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend remarked. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project even so self-evident a thing as that." have I gained?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and looked back. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of Fenchurch Street." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve business." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an of it with the greatest attention. been." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and less than 26s. 4d. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, learned something! Where are the gems?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with outside." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. legal crime." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they noting anything else of interest. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of in darkness. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "My dear Holmes!" the devil!" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." felt?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people should be so warm over such a trifle." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "My photograph." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "So I heard. You have him here?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Quite so." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope disappearance of these gems?" "And who is her maid?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "You forget that I know nothing about it." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was situation." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her frequently gained my first real insight into the character of indiscretion." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. bird I ate is country bred." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "What I expected to see." you do it in twenty minutes!' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he photograph?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "She will not sell." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "About a month then." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when round with crates and massive boxes. horse could go." "I have solved it." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What It may be so in this case, also." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you fait accompli?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the tragedy. "And when will you call?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as child?' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and all of them with the keenest interest. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third this poor creature." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and such person." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to guilty one." is four-and-twenty." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Yes, certainly." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A