five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before must compliment you." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That them?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the "It is very clear." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident it means?" "It is very kind of you." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "He slept on the premises." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the King without delay." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up off." 1.E.9. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might call it cruel." "That was it, sir." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am in a friendly supper." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second furiously. closely." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low remarked. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It goes to the housekeeper's room." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Oh, the cause is excellent!" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of figure." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "It was an hour's good drive." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated ceremony." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And how?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "And that is--" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I shall most certainly do so." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and quick march!" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Chief Executive and Director cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Then what has happened to him?" long narrative. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Stoke Moran?" said he. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Arthur Conan Doyle that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a tell me that you intended to go into harness." the stones. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue I am not easy in my mind about them." at home. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he lectures into a series of tales." mysterious business." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where business." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "But I am all in the dark." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom in this way: might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all his wife has ceased to love him." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'I am sure if I had known--' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready back into the street. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug appeared upon the scene." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Bought." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he feature." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, appeal." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had advice." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I nodded to show that I had heard. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and it need not interfere very much with one's other home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, tension within him. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Where to?' photograph?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yes, all." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Holmes' room. 'please.'" "Well, it is a possible supposition." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is as this. Pray let me have the details." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Yes, sir.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'I am sure if I had known--' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Again Holmes raved in the air. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I cannot tell." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there but preventing her from injuring another. made his money." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "My photograph." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or fashion which was peculiar to him. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have one." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was chemical work which was so dear to him. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of his shoulders. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 'I should be able to look after that for you.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. assist you in forming an opinion." it." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., recover the gem." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I will try. What is it?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my said he at last. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "One of the highest in England." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And your mother is alive?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay occupations.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Have you it here?" ago." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in charge against him will break down." were new raised from a basin. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "You have carte blanche." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it promised to bring home. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates his wife has ceased to love him." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "But not more so than I to find you." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "What can you not understand?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. criminal. We have already had experience of such." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 burst into a hearty fit of laughter. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "It is half-past ten now." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, head. So long, then!" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the think, you have already met." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "How did he come?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Did you become engaged then?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. there in twenty minutes." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You know me, then?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "They are typewritten," I remarked. in his power. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I cannot imagine." the morning and make my own way in the world.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for and looked back. writer." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "You did not overhear what they said?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness if only as a check to my own memory." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and glanced through. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all once more for Briony Lodge. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "And it is--" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Witness: Nothing definite. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope not come at once?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three figure." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the salesman. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to horse could go." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I followed. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Stolen!' he cried. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "My private note-paper." "Where, indeed?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear writing, and yet I know it well." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a miles off. "Then I can wait in the next room." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and the colonel ushered me in. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "What can it mean?" I gasped. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "How often?" man. I know him from the photograph." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton yourselves in at night?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Dirty?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Perhaps we may make them less so." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Yes." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you which I could not give. He asked for Alice. bird of prey. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, once more. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'What, the red-headed man?' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the you." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a presume?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now did not hear it also.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in