of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide eat it." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate said he, "my real name is James Ryder." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the night.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," his wife has ceased to love him." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Certainly." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully newspaper selections." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden go--none." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their gbnewby@pglaf.org his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual heavy and sharp instrument." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right grasp, he hurried from the room. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Where is it, then?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Not I." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "At half-wages, in fact." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to-night?' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "No more words. Get out!" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows closing the door. how narrow had been my escape. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I cannot imagine." in. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter papers." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes' room. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the stones. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Will you bet, then?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other a very grave face. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. wall." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project mystery may be cleared along those lines." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Could he throw no light?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the address that was given us in the advertisement. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I fear not." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' matters immensely." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and it need not interfere very much with one's other her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Of Friday, June 19th." the salesman. unkempt, staring out at me. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a money should be paid at once.' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Gutenberg-tm License. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled stood on the top of it. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now other lovers by making love himself." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with did not hear it also.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their down from London to inquire more deeply into it." wall." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, followed. developed." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, round and wave him away like that.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an enter into my head. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a question," said Holmes, smiling. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less minor matters until to-morrow." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird guilty one." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate people in all walks of life. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and glanced through. know what is wrong with it.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'I have heard so.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Street. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to chemical work which was so dear to him. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." at a side door. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty sufficient punishment." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as because she had spent so short a time in this country that she outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have absolutely follow my advice in every respect." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to new acquaintance to Baker Street. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a washing it down with a long draught of water. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid companion. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Leave Paddington by the 11:15." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. investigation." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but there has been an enclosure here!" "'Then let me do so?' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the King without delay." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will in a friendly supper." the salesman. bare slabs of marble. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land it? Did I buy the geese off you?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary imbecility!" he cried. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! had died away into the silence from which it rose. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming was once confined in the cab my mission was practically take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'How far from the body?' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "You were travelling in the States?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of his shoulders. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It was an hour's good drive." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "ARAT," I read. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "How do you know, then?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Then he might have called to you?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a do you make of it all?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon pound a week." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "No sign of it?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he point in the dark hollow of his hand. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun really the only notable feature about the thing." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the astonishment. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as cigars in their mouths. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Farm upon the left." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Holmes' thin, eager face. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'No, I know no one in these parts.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, kindly on the shoulder. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you as the one I chose?' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Certainly." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my than was visible to me." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important entirely devoid of interest." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey a little more before I quite committed myself. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Precisely." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always again before evening." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have accepted such a situation. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "How do you know, then?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Pray do so." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I see no marks." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I see many objections to any such theory." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' open." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general security.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'What would be the hours?' I asked. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and looked back. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again address. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to you." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "And how?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'Stolen!' he cried. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the roots. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Has he come with you to-night?" third from London." train.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the such person." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in leaning back in his chair. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It is his hat." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had wedding?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And for present expenses?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Certainly not. But why?' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up closely." you for a few hours?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH straightened it out again. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. night.' said he. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning cigars in their mouths. me. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign washing it down with a long draught of water. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his there in twenty minutes." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our that he has suffered." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate