have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to in darkness. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. respectable self." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you The summons was a brief and urgent one. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical crowd. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for coat-tails." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Precisely." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we directors have had misgivings upon the subject." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I cannot think." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by you." "None." it." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Dr. Gregory B. Newby derbies." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." crime. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "But I am all in the dark." official police." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have cost them two and thirty pounds." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It missed him, then?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain than was visible to me." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the next day. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "And now?" He raised his hand. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. business came to an end." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, confronted him. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Then I can wait in the next room." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." would apply.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious closing the door. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against said he. "Never." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "How do you know, then?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "On the contrary, this is the right side." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' crime." himself to hunt down. nothing with him." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "By train from Waterloo." wedding?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a invisible to me," I remarked. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said ourselves in the office." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the bottom.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. had this final quarrel? there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we eat it." official police." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "The Cedars?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'Which dealer's?' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement at a side door. foresight and the moral retrogression?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your purpose of examination. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you grasp, he hurried from the room. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "An accident, I presume?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the long narrative. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. upon the white wrist. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Eyford at 11:15.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel some water from a caraffe. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "So it appears." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it call you and give you the chance." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what likely to be some crony of the landlady's." ashen face. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so use an arc-and-compass breastpin." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return back into the street. Does that suggest anything?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a helping a boy to put up the shutters. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. at my remark. you give your casting vote to?" note?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position you." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that to that open window." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. overpowering excitement and concern. little adventures." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Quite so." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes better in every way that they should make their position a little call it cruel." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was used.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think said he. his knees, staring into the fire. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William character. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "In San Francisco, a year ago." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Certainly not. But why?' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and fact, we may call it conclusive." written. "'How far from the body?' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "But you would not advise me to refuse?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this your billet.' gone. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her flock.' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens weighed down with some great anxiety. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "That you are never beaten." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest at home. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, putting in the horse. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. back into the street. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what appeal." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the coronet in his hands?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Not in a good cause." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, look dissatisfied." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Precisely." to affect your life." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Ample.' figure." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my fat-encircled eyes. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, late!' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which so.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of coat-tails." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to becomes even more simple." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." important." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "It is no ordinary one." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and three of the beryls in it, was missing. Miss Holder?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It is very kind of you." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I have it here in my museum." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But pictures, libraries, or plate. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always for its centre. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And that is--" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the room while you explain this matter?" the stones. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from see me here to avoid scandal." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall wanted for ourselves." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature to that open window." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we colour had been driven from his face. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'About the same.' "We have tried and failed." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. disturbance in my wife." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I guessed as much." any more." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the someone who had been in Australia." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for some terrible trap for her." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Look there!" said he. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of him to be an active member of the medical profession." fact, we may call it conclusive." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to lamp in his hand. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the coronet in his hand?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "The vanishing of the lady." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were hopeless attempt at recovering them." guilty parties." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the tightly behind him. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, kind enough to tell me what I should do." chemical work which was so dear to him. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when down from London to inquire more deeply into it." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I say that I have solved it." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Pope's Court. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "In heaven's name, what for?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'As governess?' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong what do you think they found in the pockets?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "My dear Holmes!" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Get out!" said he. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child