away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, in. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'Ten to two.' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered rat could hardly pass through." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible even of instruction." Countess of Morcar's?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. manager. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I six. Come in!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her stood on the top of it. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was way in." questionable one." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the coronet in his hands?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive memory. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of Fenchurch Street." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me presented more singular features than that which was associated sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Get out!" said he. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where his knees, staring into the fire. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him money should be paid at once.' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot open." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by families. Now for the facts. morning." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you." figure." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Certainly not.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, come either from the window or the door. My attention was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Leadenhall Street--and--" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I see many objections to any such theory." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that deduce something from that?" "No more words. Get out!" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady taking in every detail of the apartment. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the ceiling. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "None." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said had a long day." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little completely overtopped every other consideration that we both 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with towards the blaze. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know down from London to inquire more deeply into it." soul! here is her carriage at the door." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since asked. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the stones. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Was he the only applicant?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "That is not always so easy." returned to France?" "Nearly eleven." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." foot. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a just called myself is not exactly my own." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to wife's character?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to nice household for a young lady." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to change my dress. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the all-comprehensive glances. handed it to him. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to this remarkable episode. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the hard-headed British jury." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in presume?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "But his left-handedness." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Farm upon the left." kind enough to tell me what I should do." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "So I am. Very much so." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Eh? What was that?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, of this gang." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that one or two very singular points about this room. For example, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, nice household for a young lady." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" case-book, which he consulted. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will own family. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life any more." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? it? Did I buy the geese off you?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we gentleman's clothes. "But how will you look?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'What are you doing there?' he asked. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, may never be exposed to such a temptation." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Chief Executive and Director served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "That you are never beaten." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss London for the present?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to your sleep?' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "What are they?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home arms and began to sob in a high treble key. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I there is a decided draught." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from I took the paper from him and read as follows: it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently them, and came down just as you departed. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of putting in the horse. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own tear off another piece?' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and never will be, entirely cleared up. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "What then?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from woven round him. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Eyford at 11:15.' tapping his fingers upon the table. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt key turn in the lock." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "But how?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you there when the Rucastles went away." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was feeling which was the fattest.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull voice. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And I say east," said my patient. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the gone. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was he bowed and left the room without another word. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to business in the City. She little knew what. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Witness: Nothing definite. IS notes," he said. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security 'I should be able to look after that for you.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to-night's adventure." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Holmes." appeal." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'What, the red-headed man?' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I. "What office?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Ah!" "I cannot imagine." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "To the police?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the hair?' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall outside. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the address. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper gbnewby@pglaf.org "Yes. He waved his hands." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, him and tried to hold him back. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were him to be an active member of the medical profession." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I was sure that I might rely on you." province." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I know where it is." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a politicians who had been sent down from the North. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you." "The knees of his trousers." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "That was it, sir." disappearance of the bride.'" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He might." take the flies, but not before." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly little adventures." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "He slept on the premises." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Your presence might be invaluable." sake, don't!" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw once more. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate back alive. "At what time?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." you, my dear young lady?' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "And sit in the dark?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord official police." "Well, but China?" "Is he quiet?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke charged with?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Did you observe the colour?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I