"But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall bare slabs of marble. "My last client of the sort was a king." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Certainly not. But why?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up congratulate you again." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards then?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. confronted him. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I never have." feature." "No, I think that I'll take it." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Ample." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my very old mansion. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have were new raised from a basin. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "None." there is a decided draught." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." memory. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Nothing?" breakfast." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the families. Now for the facts. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. cause to be." very morning of my second wedding." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any his cane at the bell-pull. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'I am sure if I had known--' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "By all means." "You saw the ventilator, too?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Is he quiet?" towards the blaze. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very chair. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, fat-encircled eyes. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "It must be recovered." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the one as in the other." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Who by?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up chemical work which was so dear to him. like that before?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "My last client of the sort was a king." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had not within a twentieth part of the market price." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, in him." of the way of danger. The events in question occurred in the early days of my tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the loss of it. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "At the wedding breakfast." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, of receipt of the work. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "My photograph." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the than was visible to me." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me window when the police appeared." danger is over." "Ten will be early enough." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his morning." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional photograph?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill morning." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then lost nothing by them." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." corner of the building. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his some terrible trap for her." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low mystery." key turn in the lock." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. fluttered off among the others. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better chemical work which was so dear to him. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. only touch the interest." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what been deceived." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Murdered?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was spark where all is dark to me." detained." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, see a sister of mine apply for." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in cigars in their mouths. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "But you were on a friendly footing?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make galvanised. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." spark where all is dark to me." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon upon the shelf for the interim." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business closely." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my heavily into it. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was burst into a hearty fit of laughter. himself to hunt down. you came in." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. might help us?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "It was an hour's good drive." "I will get her to show me." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. long narrative. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "You did not overhear what they said?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to at home. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the coronet in his hands?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "That is it on the dressing-table." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in success. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure notes," he said. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. lamp in his hand. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and prosperity to your house. Good-night." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "How do you know, then?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far colour had been driven from his face. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid their singular warning or token before them when starting upon man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and other, as fresh and trim as possible. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally national property. I was determined that the law should have its black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And it is--" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the 11:15.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for what I may call a really hard day's work." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of What do you deduce from it?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Your sister is dead, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fire. You quite follow me?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was or other trace. But how on earth--" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which colour had been driven from his face. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I nodded again. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault address. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Was your sister dressed?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "What!" he roared. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. and the whole place is in a blaze." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature forebodings. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, nice household for a young lady." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "My own seal." is worth.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "And how did you verify them?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name on re-entering her father's house?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And the murderer?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco was it brought him the coronet? "But you were on a friendly footing?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "But you have hopes?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door question. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I don't say that. Perhaps." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "My photograph." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the loss of it. "It is half-past ten now." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the matter." awkward doing business with an alias." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the guilty parties." you, my dear young lady?' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "And your father? Did you tell him?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret my friend's incisive reasoning. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was was a loud and authoritative tap. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Leave Paddington by the 11:15." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "But your client--" some city in a dream. and it need not interfere very much with one's other Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Perfectly so." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Come in!" said he. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "That you are never beaten." disturbance in my wife." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Well." young Openshaw's." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I have come for advice." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing more solid." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' heavy and sharp instrument." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert get the tickets." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they if I call to-morrow?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. murdered man." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with details should find their way into the papers. Inspector warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man means taking possession of that which another person has a prior having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your key turn in the lock." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Yes." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Perhaps we may make them less so." one of the states of the Union." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have amused." "That is not always so easy."